From Brazilian youth trials to scoring against Manchester City
In short: Marcos Leonardo's rise is a masterclass in patience and progression. After moving across continents multiple times, he transitioned from a backup substitute at Santos to a global stage where he scored the winning goal against one of football's most elite clubs.
Born in Itapetinga, Bahia, Marcos Leonardo moved to Taubaté in 2014 to join the Santos youth setup. His professional journey began on October 23, 2019, with a three-year contract. He quickly made an impact, debuting in Série A in August 2020 and scoring his first professional goal just weeks later against Goiás. By late 2020, he became the sixth-youngest player to score in the Copa Libertadores, marking him as a high-potential talent early on.
Despite this early promise, Leonardo spent much of 2021 as a backup option behind teammates like Kaio Jorge and Léo Baptistão. It wasn't until his contract renewal in January 2022 that he became an undisputed starter for Santos. His consistency eventually saw him join the club's top 50 all-time goalscorers, culminating in a winning strike against Palmeiras in October 2023.
His career trajectory since then has been rapid and international. He moved to Portugal in early 2024 for a reported €18 million fee with a massive €150 million release clause. After a stint at Benfica, he joined Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in September 2024. There, he reached a pinnacle of club football by scoring twice—including the extra-time winner—to defeat Manchester City 4–3 in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The narrative of his career is one of constant movement and adaptation: from Brazil to Portugal, then Saudi Arabia, and most recently to the Eredivisie with Ajax. His journey highlights a modern football path where early regional success must be balanced with the endurance to navigate different leagues and high-pressure knockout environments.
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