Maitimo started his football career at the age of 6 years old, for club VV Nieuwerkerk in the Netherlands. Already after two years Maitimo was scouted from several professional Dutch clubs, one being Feyenoord where he took his first steps of his professional career. Maitimo spent his whole youth career at Feyenoord Academy. In Feyenoord youth, Maitimo played together with Robin van Persie. Although having professional sporting commitments Maitimo also finished his bachelor's degree in Economics of Commerce with Sports Marketing & Management as his minor. Maitimo followed a special program for professional athletes, at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, to complete his Bachelor of Economics.
On January 2005, He made his debut at a senior level with club FC Dordrecht in the Eerste Divisie which is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. Played for two seasons for club fc dordrecht maitimo played 19 matches and 2 goals.
He made his next move to Indonesia. In 2011 Maitimo signed with Liga Primer Indonesia club Bali Devata. A short stint in 2012 Maitimo played for vv Capelle in Topklasse.
In July 2018, Maitimo join Liga 1 club Persebaya on loan for the rest 2018 season. Towards the end of the first half of Liga 1 season 2018, Persebaya Surabaya gets new ammunition to meet the second half. Raphael Maitimo joined the club with the name Bajul Ijo. His debut came on 18 July as Substitute he replaced at Persebaya, Feri Pahabol the match ended 2–0 to Persebaya as an home victory.
In middle season 2019, Maitimo signed a year contract with Liga 1 club PSM Makassar.
Persita Tangerang
Maitimo signing a year contract with Persita Tangerang in 2020. and made his debut in the 2020 Liga 1. Maitimo scored his debut in the 2020 Liga 1 against TIRA-Persikabo. He coming as a substitute.
International career
In his early career he played alongside Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben in the Netherlands U15, Netherlands U16 and Netherlands U17. In October 2010 Maitimo got invited by the Football Association of Indonesia to become a part of Indonesia national team. After a long process with finalizing documents, Maitimo finally made his international debut for the Indonesia national team on 25 November 2012 in the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup against Laos. He also scored his first international goal in the match as a 1–1 equalizer with a looping header. The game ended in a 2–2 draw. On 26 March 2014 Maitimo scored winning goal in the match between Andorra and Indonesia, held in Spain. The match ended in a 1-0 win for Indonesia national team which was their first win in Europe in their history. During 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification Indonesia changed five coaches, and Maitimo was the only player in the squad invited by all five of them. A highlight in his international career was the friendly match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on 7 June 2013 against the Netherlands. In this match Maitimo met his former teammates Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.
