Rafael Nel

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Ferreira and the second or paternal family name is Nel.

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 20)
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	41	(14)
2024–	Sporting CP	0	(0)
International career‡
2023	Portugal U19	7	(2)
2024–	Portugal U20	1	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 25 June 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 13:14, 6 October 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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

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