After debut at Alvalade, Sporting player tells all: It still hasn't sunk in | OneFootball

February 15, 2026, will forever be etched in the memory of Rafael Nel who, at 20 years old, fulfilled his dream of debuting at Alvalade for the Sporting team, in the victory against Famalicão (1-0), which counted for the 22nd round of the Liga Portugal Betclic.

"At the stadium, it didn't even sink in. I was very happy because it was a very special week. They were really cool days for me and my family because before the debut I was named man of the match in the P. Ferreira - Sporting B (0-3), and my niece was also born. The debut was the cherry on top of the cake", confessed the forward on the program 'Lado B', broadcast on Sporting TV.

In the program where defender Rodrigo Dias also participated, the two young players agreed that it is easier to play in the 2nd League than in League 3. "It is a competition where visibility is greater and allows us to evolve more. It continues to be a battle with the central defenders, but the fields are better and allow us to present better football", noted the young attacker.

After starting his training at Benfica, the number 90 was released and ended up joining Belenenses where he stood out and was recruited by Sporting in the 2020/21 season. "It did me good to go through that phase where things didn't go so well, it was a very important experience", acknowledged the young forward.

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