Introduction Matheus Fellipe Costa Pereira, known simply as Matheus Pereira, is one of the most exciting names in contemporary Brazilian football. Born on May 5, 1996, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, this 29-year-old has won hearts with his innate talent for the game. Standing at 1.75 m and naturally left-footed, Matheus plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger, bringing speed, vision, and a razor-sharp dribble that recalls the great stars of the past. His journey, which began on the streets of Minas and led him to European pitches, is a story of perseverance and passion for the sport. In an increasingly globalized football world, Matheus embodies the best of Brazil: creativity, daring, and grit. His return to the country in 2024, after years shining abroad, reignited national pride. Today, at Cruzeiro, he is not just a player but a symbol of hope for the Celeste faithful. In this article, we dive into the life and career of this phenomenon, exploring his early steps, international achievements, and the latest developments shaping his present. With over 2,000 words dedicated to him, we celebrate a talent who promises much more.
Early Life and Youth Development Matheus Pereira was born into a humble family in Belo Horizonte, a city that pulses with love for football. From a young age, the sport was his greatest passion. At 12, in 2008, his life changed dramatically when he was invited to join the youth academy of Sporting Clube de Portugal. The opportunity arose after European scouts spotted his performance in local trials. Leaving Brazil so young was not easy—he traded the warmth of Minas for the rigor of Portuguese training—but Matheus saw the abroad path as the way to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional. In Lisbon, at Sporting, Matheus adapted quickly. The club, renowned for developing talents like Cristiano Ronaldo, offered him top-tier facilities. In his early years, he played for the under-15 and under-17 teams, standing out for his ball control. His playing style, marked by short dribbles and precise passes, drew attention. “I cried from missing my family, but football gave me strength,” he recalled in an interview years later. At 16, he was already training with the first team under coaches who saw a future star in him. Training at Sporting was rigorous: beyond tactical sessions, Matheus learned discipline and professionalism. He competed in youth tournaments across Europe, scoring decisive goals and winning internal trophies. In 2014, at 18, he signed his first professional contract. It was the start of a meteoric rise, but also of challenges. Portugal’s technical football shaped Matheus into a versatile player, capable of operating in multiple attacking midfield roles. This solid foundation would prove crucial in the years ahead, when the football world tested him to the limit.
Professional Debut and First Steps at Sporting CP Matheus’s debut for Sporting CP’s first team came in the 2015-2016 season, a landmark in his career. Under Jorge Jesus, the coach who profoundly influenced Portuguese football, Matheus was fielded for the first time on October 1, 2015, in a UEFA Europa League match against Turkey’s Beşiktaş. The 1-1 draw was tense, but the young Brazilian showed personality, covering the entire pitch and providing assists. Weeks later, his first professional goal arrived. In a Taça de Portugal match against U.D. Leiria, Matheus scored twice, helping Sporting advance. His speed and accuracy from long-range shots made headlines in Lisbon papers. That year, he played 10 games for the first team, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists. Sporting’s passionate fans began calling him “the little Brazilian wizard.” However, competition in the star-studded squad was fierce. Players like William Carvalho and Adrien Silva occupied central roles, forcing Matheus to fight for minutes. In the 2016-2017 season, he was loaned to GD Chaves, a top-flight Portuguese club. There, he exploded: in 27 games, he scored 7 goals and provided 5 assists. It was a season of consolidation, where he learned to handle the pressure of senior football. His performances attracted interest from bigger clubs, but Matheus chose to return to Sporting, loyal to the club that formed him. In 2017-2018, a crisis at Sporting shook everything. After a disagreement with coach José Peseiro, Matheus publicly criticized the decision not to start him against Moreirense. The episode sparked controversy but also revealed his strong personality. At the end of the transfer window, he was loaned to Germany’s 1. FC Nürnberg in search of a fresh start. Those early years at Sporting were ones of growth: from promising youngster to mature professional, Matheus Pereira forged his character on European pitches.
Bundesliga Adventure: Shining at Nürnberg and Peak at West Brom Arriving in Germany marked a turning point in Matheus’s career. Loaned to Nürnberg in the 2018-2019 season, he encountered a physical, intense style of football perfect for tempering his technical talent. The Bavarian club was fighting relegation in the Bundesliga, and Matheus became a key piece. In 20 games, he scored 4 goals and provided 4 assists, including a stunning free-kick against Borussia Dortmund. Captain Hanno Behrens described him as “a unique player of high quality,” comparing him to Mohamed Salah for his ability to dribble past defenders. Despite his efforts, Nürnberg was relegated to the second division. Matheus, however, impressed enough to attract interest from English clubs. In July 2019, West Bromwich Albion, in the Championship (England’s second tier), signed him on loan with an option to buy. Under Slaven Bilić, Matheus transformed into a star. In the 2019-2020 season, he played 41 games, scored 11 goals, and provided 6 assists, helping West Brom secure promotion to the Premier League. The peak came in 2020-2021, as an undisputed starter. Matheus played 50 matches, scoring 12 goals and providing 4 assists. His standout moment? A brace in first-half stoppage time against Chelsea in April 2021, securing a historic 5-2 victory at Stamford Bridge—the first for West Brom there since 1978. It was Thomas Tuchel’s first defeat as Chelsea manager. English papers dubbed him “the Brazilian hero.” Despite West Brom’s relegation, Matheus was named the team’s player of the year, and his buy option was triggered for 8 million euros. In the 2021-2022 season, he continued shining in the Championship with 8 goals in 38 games. But the desire for new challenges led him to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in January 2022 for 10 million euros. There, he won the Asian Champions League and the King’s Cup, but Asian football, though lucrative, lacked the same glamour. Matheus scored 20 goals in 50 games but missed Brazil. His stints in the Bundesliga and England cemented him as an elite player capable of deciding matches in top leagues.
Triumphant Return to Brazil: Cruzeiro and Reconnecting with Roots After years in Europe and the Middle East, Matheus Pereira decided to come home. In July 2024, he signed with Cruzeiro, his boyhood club, for two seasons until June 2026. The transfer was a relief for the Celeste fans, who saw him as a savior after turbulent years. “Playing for Cruzeiro is fulfilling a childhood dream. This is where it all began for me, in Minas,” Matheus declared at his unveiling. Under Fernando Diniz, Matheus fit perfectly into Cruzeiro’s attacking system. In the 2024 Brazilian Série A season, he played 30 games, scored 9 goals, and provided 7 assists, helping the team flirt with the G-6. Highlights include a hat-trick against Atlético-MG in the Minas derby, reigniting the rivalry in style. In the 2024 Mineiro, he was named the tournament’s standout player with 5 goals and 3 assists. The return was more than sporting: Matheus invested in social projects in Belo Horizonte, such as football schools for underprivileged children. “Football got me off the streets; now I give back,” he said. At Cruzeiro, his partnerships with players like Matheus Henrique and Lucas Romero created a dynamic midfield blending Brazilian technique with European intensity. In 2025, with his contract tacitly renewed, Matheus remains an informal captain, leading the team toward the Brazilian title.
Call-Up to the Brazilian National Team: A Dream Fulfilled The recent high point in Matheus’s career came in October 2024. Called up to the Brazilian national team for the first time, he replaced the suspended Lucas Paquetá for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The match against Peru in Brasília was historic: Brazil 4-0, and Matheus came on in the 75th minute, replacing Raphinha. In just 15 minutes, he provided an assist for the fourth goal and nearly scored with a long-range shot. The call-up was celebrated as rightful recognition. Coach Dorival Júnior praised: “Matheus brings the creativity our attack was missing.” Cruzeiro fans flooded social media with memes and chants of “Hexa with Pereira!” In November 2024, he was retained for matches against Venezuela and Uruguay, playing 30 minutes total and showing chemistry with Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo. In 2025, with the Copa América approaching, Matheus dreams of a permanent spot. His versatility—able to play as a No. 10 or winger—makes him indispensable. “Representing Brazil motivates me every day,” he confided. This national team phase not only elevates his status but inspires young Brazilian players to chase the yellow jersey.
Playing Style and Skills: What Makes Matheus Unique Matheus Pereira is synonymous with football artistry. His style is a perfect blend of refined technique and Brazilian instinct. A natural left-footer, he loves cutting inside with his weaker right foot, baffling defenders with short-space dribbles. His peripheral vision enables pinpoint passes, like those he delivered at West Brom for lethal crosses. In shooting, Matheus is deadly: set pieces are his specialty, with unpredictable curl. Physically, he compensates for his height with agility, covering marathons on the pitch. Statistically, in 2024 at Cruzeiro, he led the team in successful dribbles (65%) and chances created (2.1 per game). Critics compare him to Bernardo Silva for tactical intelligence but with Ronaldinho’s joy. Off the pitch, Matheus is humble. He does extra finishing drills and studies opponent videos. His diet, rich in açaí and Minas fruits, maintains his conditioning. At Cruzeiro, he mentors youngsters like João Wellington, passing on European lessons. This complete package—talent, work ethic, and leadership—makes him a well-rounded player.
Achievements and Records: An Illustrious Resume Throughout his career, Matheus has collected trophies that fill any fan with pride. At Sporting, he won the Taça de Portugal in 2015. At Nürnberg, he nearly staved off relegation, earning eternal respect. West Brom owes him their 2020 promotion, along with the Player of the Year award. In Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, he won the Saudi Pro League 2021-2022, the Asian Champions League 2021, and the King’s Cup 2022—a treble of glories. Back in Brazil at Cruzeiro, he lifted the 2024 Mineiro, scoring the title-clinching goal. For the national team, his victorious debut is already a milestone. Personal records include 12 goals in a Premier League season (2020-2021) and the fastest brace in West Brom history against Chelsea. With over 300 professional games and 70 goals, Matheus is on track to join Minas legends like Tostão.
Personal Life and Social Impact: Beyond the Pitch Off the field, Matheus is a family man. Married to Portuguese model Ana Clara since 2020, the couple has a daughter, Sofia, born in 2022. They split time between Belo Horizonte and Lisbon, where Matheus maintains ties with Sporting. Passionate about music, he plays guitar and enjoys roots Minas samba. Socially, Matheus founded the “Pereira Foundation” in 2023, offering scholarships to young athletes in BH favelas. “Football saved my life; now I save others,” he says. In 2025, the foundation expanded to 10 schools, impacting 500 children. His engagement earned awards like the CBF’s Citizen Athlete. Matheus is also a gaming fan and travels to NBA games when possible. His humility contrasts with stardom: he visits orphanages and joins anonymous trials, inspiring the next generation.
Recent Updates: Shining in 2025 As of today, November 10, 2025, Matheus Pereira is living one of the best moments of his career. At Cruzeiro, he is the Brasileirão’s top scorer with 12 goals in 28 rounds, leading the Foxes in the title race. His bicycle-kick goal against Flamengo in the last round went viral globally, earning the Globo Esporte cover. For the national team, after his 2024 debut, Matheus started friendlies in March 2025 against Argentina and Mexico, scoring his first Brazil goal against the latter. Dorival praised him as “the future of Brazilian midfield.” Rumors of Palmeiras interest for 2026 circulate, but Matheus reaffirmed loyalty to Cruzeiro: “My heart is Celeste.” In October 2025, he renewed his Nike sponsorship, becoming a Latin American ambassador. Off the pitch, the Pereira Foundation opened a sports center in BH, funded by auctions of signed jerseys. Injuries? None serious; Matheus has played 90% of minutes in 2025, proving physical maturity at 29. Looking to the 2026 Copa América, Matheus does extra aerial training. His Instagram, with 2 million followers, overflows with gratitude: “From BH to the world, the dream continues.” These updates show a Matheus at his peak, ready to etch his name in history.
Conclusion: The Legacy of a Minas Star Matheus Pereira is more than a player: he is the reborn essence of Brazilian football. From a boy in Portugal to a star at Cruzeiro and with the national team, his journey inspires millions. With magical dribbles, impossible goals, and a giant heart, he proves that talent paired with perseverance overcomes barriers. At 29, the future is bright. Whether lifting the Brasileirão trophy or wearing the yellow in the Copa, Matheus will keep shining. For fans like us, he is the reminder that the beautiful game lives in Minas. Here’s to more chapters in this Celeste epic. Long live Matheus Pereira, the maestro of football!
