Rafael Ferreira Nel (born 3 April 2005) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Primeira Liga club Sporting CP.

Rafael Nel
Personal information
Full name Rafael Ferreira Nel
Date of birth (2005-04-03) 3 April 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Amadora, Portugal
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Sporting CP
Number 86
Youth career
2010–2018 Benfica
2018–2020 Belenenses
2020–2023 Sporting CP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Sporting CP B 28 (8)
2024– Sporting CP 0 (0)
International career
2023 Portugal U19 7 (2)
2024– Portugal U20 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:14, 6 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:14, 6 October 2024 (UTC)

Club career

edit

Nel began playing football with the academy of Benfica before moving to Belenenses, and then finishing his development with Sporting CP in 2020. He signed his first professional contract with Sporting on 22 November 2022.[1] He was promoted to Sporting CP B in the Liga 3 for the 2023–24 season. He made his senior and professional debut with the senior Sporting squad in a 3–1 UEFA Europa League win over Young Boys on 15 February 2024.[2] On 13 August 2024, he again extended his contract with Sporting until 2029.[3]

International career

edit

Nel is a youth international for Portugal. He was called up to the Portugal U20s for a set of friendlies in March 2024.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Sub-17 Rafael Nel assina contrato profissional - "O Sporting é o único português que aposta realmente na formação"". 22 November 2022.
  2. ^ Martins, Francisco. "A hora de Koba Koindredi e de Rafael Nel chegou quando uma mão tocou nos oitavos: Rúben Amorim promoveu duas estreias frente ao Young Boys". Observador.
  3. ^ "Sporting renova com Rafael Nel - Renascença". Rádio Renascença. 14 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Eleitos para jogos diante da Chéquia e da Dinamarca". FPF. 10 April 2024.
edit