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Rafael Olarra

Rafael Andrés Olarra Guerrero is a Chilean former footballer who played as a defender.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rafael Andrés Olarra Guerrero is a Chilean former footballer who played as a defender. He was born in Santiago de Chile on 26 May 1978 and represented Chile internationally. In December 2024, he graduated as a football manager at INAF in Chile.

Early life

Rafael Olarra was born in Santiago de Chile on 26 May 1978. Available sources identify him as Chilean and do not provide more detailed early-life information.

Club career

Olarra played as a defender for several clubs in Chile and abroad, including Audax Italiano, Universidad de Chile, Osasuna, Independiente, Universidad Católica, Maccabi Haifa and Unión Española. Sources differ slightly on match totals and some career details, but consistently describe him as a former professional defender.

International career

Olarra represented Chile at senior level and is listed with 30 caps in some sources. He was part of Chile's Olympic squad that won bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Post-playing career

After retirement, Olarra remained connected to football. In December 2024, he graduated as a football manager at INAF, Chile's National Institute of Football, Sports and Physical Activity.

Key facts

  • Played as a defender, mainly a centre-back.
  • Represented Chile internationally, with 30 appearances recorded in some sources.
  • Won a bronze medal with Chile's Olympic team at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
  • His club career included Audax Italiano, Universidad de Chile, Osasuna, Independiente, Universidad Católica, Maccabi Haifa and Unión Española.
  • He completed football-manager training at INAF in December 2024.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rafael Olarra?
He is a Chilean former footballer who played as a defender, born in 1978 in Santiago de Chile.
What position did he play?
He is consistently identified as a defender, especially a centre-back.
Which national team did he represent?
He represented Chile at international level.
Did Rafael Olarra win any major titles with Chile?
Yes. He won an Olympic bronze medal with Chile at Sydney 2000.
Which clubs did he play for?
Reported clubs include Audax Italiano, Universidad de Chile, Osasuna, Independiente, Universidad Católica, Maccabi Haifa and Unión Española.
What has he done after retirement?
He graduated as a football manager at INAF in December 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Olarra
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, position, and INAF football-manager graduation in December 2024.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Olarra
    Supports: Born in Santiago de Chile, former Chilean footballer, defender, 30 national-team appearances, and 2000 Olympic bronze medal.
  3. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Olarra
    Supports: Career summary including debut, retirement date, and national-team statistics.
  4. Transfermarkt — https://www.transfermarkt.us/rafael-olarra/profil/spieler/40430
    Supports: Position, nationality, birth data, height, and retirement status.
  5. FootballDatabase.eu — https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/3571-rafael-olarra
    Supports: International caps, first cap date, and position information.
  6. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5336587/bio/
    Supports: Club list and career overview.