| Rafael Pontelo | |
| Full Name: | Rafael da Silva Pontelo |
| Birth Date: | 22 January 2003 |
| Birth Place: | Sete Lagoas, Brazil |
| Height: | 1.91 m |
| Position: | Centre-back |
| Currentclub: | Sporting CP |
| Clubnumber: | 45 |
| Youthclubs1: | América Mineiro |
| Youthclubs2: | Bela Vista |
| Youthyears3: | 2019–2023 |
| Youthclubs3: | Ponte Preta |
| Youthyears4: | 2022 |
| Youthclubs4: | → Real Valladolid (loan) |
| Youthyears5: | 2022–2023 |
| Youthclubs5: | → Cruzeiro (loan) |
| Years1: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs1: | Leixões |
| Caps1: | 12 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2024– |
| Clubs2: | Sporting CP |
| Caps2: | 1 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2024- |
| Clubs3: | Pafos FC (loan) |
| Caps3: | 0 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Pcupdate: | 13:03, 10 July 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]
Sporting CP