This Tuesday, Sporting presented defender Rafael Pontelo as a reinforcement of the football team until 2028, with the Brazilian from Leixões, in the II League, having a termination clause of 45 million euros.
“I am very happy and motivated to be part of Sporting. Of course, since I was little it has been a dream to play for a club as big as this. I am grateful for the opportunity and I am going to work hard.” being able to play and help the team,” the 20-year-old athlete told the lions’ website.
Welcome, Rafael Pontelo pic.twitter.com/QZ9KD78CEl
– Deportivo CP (@SportingCP) January 2, 2024
Trained in Ponte Preta, Rafael Pontelo, who has dual Brazilian and Italian nationality, arrived in Portugal only this season, after having played 14 games for Leixões, “a short period, but one that went well.”
He admits that he still has a lot to improve as a footballer, however he presents himself to the fans as a “very fast center back who likes to play with the ball at his feet.”
Pontelo, who in 2022 had a short experience at Valladolid, in Spain, before returning to Brazil for Cruzeiro’s U-20 team, assumes he is living the “peak of his career representing such a big club”, hoping to be able to be the height. to expectations.
The now former Leixões player also praised the “very united group” led by the “rigorous Rúben Amorim”, thanked the center backs Coates and Luís Neto for their help and promised “bravery and determination” in the team’s defense.
After 15 days of the championship, Sporting leads with 37 points, one more than Benfica and three more than FC Porto.
Source: TSF
