João António Soares Rangel (born 17 July 2001) is a semi-professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Leiston. Born in Portugal, he represents the Timor-Leste national team.
Career Rangel signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity on 10 August 2021. Rangel played for Northern Premier League Division One East side Pontefract Collieries during the 2021–22 season. João signed for Kings Lynn Town on 28 September 2022. Rangel signed for Barton Town on loan on 22 November 2022. João signed for Gorleston for the remainder of the season on 6 March 2023, following the termination of his Kings Lynn Town contract. Rangel signed for Lowestoft Town on 2 September 2024. Rangel signed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Leiston on 25 June 2025. João made his debut for Leiston on 9 August 2025, in the opening day of the 2025–26 Southern League Premier Division Central season, scoring and assisting in 2-2 draw.
International career Timor-Leste Rangel made his debut for Timor-Leste on in a 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification fixture at home to the Philippines on 9 October 2025, João came on as a 60th minute substitute for Mouzinho, Philippines ran out 4-1 winners. Rangel scored his first goal for Timor-Leste during his second match, the reverse fixture against the Philippines on 14 October 2025, João scored what turned out to be a consolation for Timor-Leste in the added on time in the first half, it actually gave Timor-Leste the lead in the match, but they eventually went on to lose 3-1, with Rangel later been substituted for João Pedro on the 82nd minute.
Career statistics Club
ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPontefract Collieries2021–22Northern Premier League Division One East19100—20211Wroxham2024–25Isthmian League North Division3131—0062Lowestoft Town2024–25Southern League Premier Central37700—20397Leiston2025–2627730—20316Career total14334920011316339
International +List of international goals scored by João RangelNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition114 October 2025New Clark City Stadium, Capas, Philippines1–11–32027 AFC Asian Cup qualification2 2 June 2026Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 1–03–0 2026 ASEAN Championship qualification
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