  This work provides a short but comprehensible overview of some relevant
aspects of metric-affine theories of gravity in relation to the physics and
astrophysics of compact objects. We shall highlight the pertinence of this
approach to supersede General Relativity on its strong-field regime, as well as
its advantages and some of its difficulties. Moreover, we shall reflect on the
present and future opportunities to testing its predictions with relativistic
and non-relativistic stars, black holes, and other exotic horizonless compact
objects.
