Rafael Pontelo

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.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is da Silva and the second or paternal family name is Pontelo.
Rafael Pontelo
Personal information
Full name Rafael da Silva Pontelo
Date of birth (2003-01-22) 22 January 2003
Place of birth Sete Lagoas, 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 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:50, 18 January 2024 (UTC)

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]

Honours

Sporting CP

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.
  8. Kundert, Tom (6 May 2024). "Seven reasons Sporting are champions of Portugal". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
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