Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Rafael da Silva Pontelo | ||
Date of birth | 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) |
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.
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]
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]