Exclusive Leonino - Sporting make decision on Rafael Pontelo’s future | OneFootball

Sporting has already defined the plan for the future of Rafael Pontelo, Leonino has learned. The case of the Brazilian player is one of those that the green and whites are particularly interested in resolving in this winter transfer window, with the aim of selling the player permanently.

According to information gathered from a source close to the process, Sporting’s SAD has already received some offers for the Brazilian defender, but only for a loan. So far, no club has shown interest in signing Rafael Pontelo on a permanent basis, which is why Bernardo Palmeiro is already on the ground looking for interested parties.

Signed from Leixões for 700 thousand euros in January 2024, the center-back never managed to show why he was brought in as a reinforcement for the Alvalade club and was demoted to the B team.

The player made his debut for the main team on January 9, 2024, in Sporting’s home match against Tondela, in a game counting for the round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup, in which the Alvalade side won 4-0, with goals from Pote (brace) and Gyokeres (brace). The defender started the match but was substituted at halftime, having played only one more minute in the away game at Vizela.

In 2025/26, Rafael Pontelo – valued at 300 thousand euros – played only three games for the Alvalade club’s B team, having played just 72 minutes. Despite being a regular presence in João Gião’s call-ups, the player has not started any matches since the beginning of the season.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.