Răzvan Raț

1. Early Life and Youth Career

Răzvan Raț was born in Piatra-Olt, Olt County, Romania. His football journey began at the age of seven when he joined the local team Rapid Piatra-Olt, where his father served as the coach.

In the summer of 1994, at 13 years old, Raț underwent a trial with Universitatea Craiova. He impressed coach Anghel Mităchescu and subsequently joined the club's youth system. When Mităchescu learned he would be dismissed from his duties by club president Rodion Cămătaru, he transferred the entire junior squad to the Divizia B side Constructorul Craiova. However, Raț's time with Constructorul was brief, ending in 1995 due to the club's financial difficulties.

In the winter of that same year, Raț caught the eye of Tudorel Stoica, a former Steaua București player, during a futsal tournament held in Balș. Stoica sought for Raț to join Steaua București's youth system. Despite both Stoica and youth coach Bujor Hălmăgean being impressed by the young talent, Raț ultimately did not join Steaua because, according to his father, the club refused to pay its youth players, which would have forced Raț to support himself financially in Bucharest. Following advice from his former coach Mităchescu, Raț instead joined Sporting Pitești, a team trained by former international player Nicolae Dobrin. In his first match, Raț made a significant impact, scoring five or six goals after being substituted into the game for the final 10 to 15 minutes. He later rejoined Sporting Pitești, where he experienced one championship win and one runner-up finish.

On September 2, 1996, after being scouted by Silviu Stănescu, Raț joined the Divizia B side Cetatea Târgu Neamț. Despite being only 15 years old, Raț trained with the senior squad. However, on November 19, the club's main sponsor was arrested, leading to the dissolution of Cetatea Târgu Neamț. Raț had the opportunity to play only two matches for the juniors of Cetatea during this brief period.

2. Club Career

Răzvan Raț's professional career spanned several clubs across Romania, Ukraine, England, Spain, and Greece, marked by significant titles and consistent performance as a left-back.

2.2. Shakhtar Donetsk

In July 2003, Răzvan Raț made a significant move to the Ukrainian club FC Shakhtar Donetsk, joining fellow Romanian player Daniel Florea. He made his debut on July 14 against Metalurh Zaporizhzhia. Raț quickly established himself as a key player for Shakhtar, playing under coaches such as Bernd Schuster and later reuniting with Mircea Lucescu. Although his position was occasionally challenged by Vyacheslav Shevchuk after the 2005-06 season, Raț consistently maintained his performance and secured numerous titles with the club.

His tenure with Shakhtar Donetsk was highly successful, spanning ten seasons. A major highlight was his full participation in the 2009 UEFA Cup Final, where Shakhtar defeated Werder Bremen to lift the trophy. Raț was instrumental in the club's domestic dominance, winning 7 Ukrainian Premier League titles, 5 Ukrainian Cups, and 4 Ukrainian Super Cups. His final match for Shakhtar was on May 26, 2013, a 4-0 victory against Metalurh Donetsk, as his contract was not extended.

3. International Career

Răzvan Raț's international career with the Romania national team began with his first call-up on February 8, 2002. Five days later, he made his full debut, starting in a friendly match against the reigning world and European champions, France. His first official international match took place on October 12, 2002, in a Euro 2004 qualifier against Norway, where he played as a left midfielder.

Following the establishment of Cristian Chivu as a first-choice central defender, Raț became Romania's primary left-back. On April 28, 2004, he scored his first goal for the national squad in a commanding 5-1 victory against Germany, which marked Germany's worst away defeat in 65 years. His second international goal came on May 31, 2014, a winning goal in a 1-0 triumph against Albania in a match held in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. Raț also served as Romania's captain, notably in a 2005 friendly against Nigeria when Chivu was unavailable, and formally assumed the captaincy from September 2, 2011.

In 2008, Raț was included in Romania's squad for the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament. He played all three matches in the challenging "group of death," contributing to 0-0 draws against former FIFA World Cup finalists France and a 1-1 draw against world champions Italy. However, Romania was eventually eliminated after a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands.

Raț earned his 100th cap for Romania on October 14, 2014, in a 2-0 away victory against Finland during UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying. He is recognized as the fourth-most capped Romanian international of all time, concluding his career with a total of 113 appearances and 2 goals for his national team.

4. Post-retirement Activities

After concluding his distinguished playing career in 2018, Răzvan Raț transitioned into a leadership role within football administration. He currently serves as a board member for Genoa CFC, a prominent club in the Italian Serie A.

5. Honours

Răzvan Raț accumulated numerous titles and individual recognitions throughout his professional football career.

Rapid București

• Divizia A: 1998-99, 2002-03
• Cupa României: 2001-02
• Supercupa României: 1999, 2002

Shakhtar Donetsk

• Ukrainian Premier League: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13
• Ukrainian Cup: 2003-04, 2007-08, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13
• Ukrainian Super Cup: 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012
• UEFA Cup: 2008-09

Individual

• Gazeta Sporturilor Romanian Footballer of the Year: runner-up 2009; third place 2010, 2014

6. Career Statistics

This section provides detailed statistical data of Răzvan Raț's professional football career, including appearances and goals for both clubs and the national team.