Rafael Nel

Rafael Nel came through Sporting CP's own academy after early years at Benfica and Belenenses, joining the club's youth ranks in 2020 and signing his first professional contract in November 2022. Rather than going out on loan, he progressed directly to Sporting CP B in 2023.

His breakthrough with the first team came in the UEFA Europa League, coming off the bench against Young Boys in February 2024. Two years later he made his Primeira Liga debut in a win over Famalicão, and days after that produced a stoppage-time goal in extra time to seal a 5–0 rout of Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League last 16. He followed it with his first league goal, in a 4–2 win over Santa Clara, and has since added an assist in the top flight. Sporting CP rewarded him with a contract extension to 2029.

Nel has already collected silverware at club level, winning the Liga Portugal in successive seasons and the Taça de Portugal with Sporting CP. At international level he has represented Portugal at Under-19 and Under-20 level, and was central to the Under-20s' success at the 2026 Maurice Revello Tournament, scoring and setting up a goal in the final win over Tunisia.