Cintia Rafaela Soares Martins

Defender • Age 19 • #29

Cintia Rafaela Soares Martins is a Portuguese footballer who plays primarily as a right-back and can also operate as a forward. She has represented Portugal at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level.

Photo: IMAGO | IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

108 Appearances

22 Goals

1 Trophies

1 Awards

Fun Facts about Cintia Rafaela

Quirky facts. Inspired by her game.

Cintia’s football journey began with neighbourhood futsal before she entered the organised game with Atlético Povoense and later joined Sporting CP’s academy.

Portugal international Diana Silva became her main Sporting role model because of her speed, powerful shooting and instinct for scoring goals.

When Cintia suffered racist abuse during a youth match at 14, her Sporting teammates immediately surrounded and comforted her, before continuing the match with ten players in solidarity with her.

Cintia featured in a PUMA Football campaign promoting its women’s fit, appearing with the slogan “Lights out. Game on.”

Cintia joined Ternana as a left-footed winger, but an unexpected switch turned her into a right-back and taught her that a defender cannot lose concentration for even a moment.