Rafael Pontelo
Personal information
Full name Rafael da Silva Pontelo
Date of birth (2003-01-22) 22 January 2003
Place of birth Matozinhos, Brazil
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Sporting CP
Number 45
Youth career
América Mineiro
Bela Vista
2019–2023 Ponte Preta
2022 →Real Valladolid (loan)
2022–2023 →Cruzeiro (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2024 Leixões 12 (0)
2024– Sporting CP 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 04:58, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

Rafael da Silva Pontelo (born 22 January 2003) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Primeira Liga club Sporting CP.

Club career

Pontelo was born in Matozinhos and raised in Sete Lagoas. He is a youth product of América Mineiro, Bela Vista, and Ponte Preta.[1] From Ponte Preta he moved on loan to the Spanish club Real Valladolid in 2022, and then Cruzeiro until 2023.[2] On 11 July 2023, he transferred to Leixões in the Liga Portugal 2 on a 3-year contract where he began his senior career.[3]

On 2 January 2024, he transferred to Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga on a contract until 2028.[4] He made his debut with Sporting CP as a starter in a 4–0 Taça de Portugal win over Tondela on 9 January 2024.[5]

Personal life

Born in Brazil, Pontelo is of Italian descent and holds dual citizenship.[6] Turned down at Atlético Mineiro because of his slight build, as a child and teenager he escaped street life, crime and violence with the help of Ponte Preta.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Mídia, Tecle (January 5, 2024). "Rafael Pontelo, morador de Sete Lagoas, é anunciando pelo Sporting Clube de Portugal".
  2. ↑ Salazar, Dyhego (July 4, 2023). "Zagueiro Rafael Silva, que veio do Real Valladolid para o Cruzeiro está deixando o clube".
  3. ↑ Oliveira, Mário Cagica (July 14, 2023). "Rafael Silva confirmado como reforço do Leixões". Bola na Rede.
  4. ↑ "Oficial: Rafael Pontelo é reforço do Sporting. Confira o contrato". O Jogo.
  5. ↑ "Pontelo titular frente ao Tondela". Jornal de Notícias.
  6. ↑ "Com história em Sete Lagoas, Rafael Pontelo é apresentado no Sporting de Portugal". Pensou em Sete Lagoas ? SeteLagoas.com.br. January 5, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Pontelo ganhou à favela: conheça a história do reforço do Sporting - Sporting - Jornal Record". Record. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
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