André Henrique da Silva Martins, better known simply as André Henrique, is one of the names generating the most excitement in Rio Grande do Sul football in recent years. Born on December 17, 2001, in Guanambi, deep in the interior of Bahia, the 23-year-old embodies the classic Brazilian talent that emerges from youth academies and fights for a spot at the very top. Standing 1.89 m tall with an imposing physical presence, he plays primarily as a centre-forward but is also comfortable as a second striker or even on the right wing. Naturally right-footed, André combines power, pace, and a clinical finishing instinct—qualities that have made him an important piece in the Grêmio squad since arriving in 2023 and continuing to build a story of resilience and growth.
In an increasingly competitive football landscape where pressure for instant results is relentless, André Henrique stands as an example of patience and determination. His journey—from the dusty pitches of Brazil’s Northeast, through smaller clubs in São Paulo and Santa Catarina, to landing in Porto Alegre—mirrors the dream of thousands of young Brazilian players. At Grêmio, he has already lifted state titles (the 2024 Campeonato Gaúcho and the 2025 Recopa Gaúcha) while facing challenges that have tested his character. Now, with the 2025 Brasileirão entering its final stretch, the striker finds himself at a crossroads: surrounded by transfer rumors abroad and the possibility of staying under new club management.
The Early Steps: From Bahian Roots to Professional Breakthrough André Henrique’s story began far from the spotlight in Guanambi, a town of around 90,000 inhabitants in southwest Bahia. Coming from a humble family of modest means, he grew up playing street football and in local academies, where his height and natural ability with the ball turned heads from an early age. At 14 he moved to Salvador to join Bahia’s youth system, but his real path to professionalism opened in São Paulo with Capivariano, a club renowned for developing talent.
In 2020, at just 18, André made his professional debut for Capivariano in the Paulista Série A3. He played only a handful of games but scored his first professional goals and caught scouts’ attention. In 2021 he moved to América-MG, where he continued in the youth ranks before making his first-team debut in Copa do Brasil matches. At the Coelho he learned what it takes to compete at a higher level, facing more organized defenses and handling the pressure of a rising club.
The real turning point came in 2022 when he signed with Marcílio Dias of Itajaí (Santa Catarina) for the Campeonato Catarinense Série B. There André exploded: in 15 matches he scored nine goals, finished as the competition’s top scorer, and helped the club earn promotion to the state’s top division. His performances attracted Hercílio Luz, another Santa Catarina side, who signed him for the 2022 Série C. With the Tubarão he played 22 games, scored five goals and provided key assists, cementing his status as one of Brazilian football’s brightest prospects. Those years at smaller clubs were crucial—he learned to manage minutes, deal with minor injuries, and adapt to different styles, all while keeping the dream of reaching a big club alive.
Arrival at Grêmio: From Bench Player to Key Piece 2023 marked the major turning point in André Henrique’s career. In April, freshly promoted Grêmio—still rebuilding after the traumatic 2021 relegation—signed him on loan from Hercílio Luz. The idea was to bolster the attack with a young, inexpensive player while the club restructured under Renato Gaúcho. André arrived quietly but soon showed his versatility. To date he has played 61 matches for the Tricolor, scoring nine goals and providing five assists—modest numbers, but valuable in a squad full of big names.
Initially he was the third-choice striker behind players like Diego Costa and later Luis Suárez. In 55 of those appearances he started on the bench, coming on to change the tempo or protect leads. In the 2023 Gauchão, for example, he started only two matches. His patience paid off in December 2023 when Grêmio triggered the purchase option for R$ 6.4 million, acquiring 70% of his economic rights. He signed a contract until the end of 2026, a clear vote of confidence in the Bahian’s potential.
His finest moment came in the 2024 Gauchão. With Suárez recovering from injury, André earned more minutes and played a key role in the state-title triumph, scoring in decisive games against Juventude. He also left his mark on the 2025 Recopa Gaúcha, heading the goal that sealed victory over Brasil de Pelotas. Those collective successes won over the fans, who affectionately nicknamed him the “Bahian Giant” for his physical presence and fighting spirit.
2025 Season: Surprise Rise and Brasileirão Challenges The 2025 Brasileirão has been a season of ups and downs for André Henrique. By late November he had played 34 matches and scored three goals—one a header in the August Gre-Nal that set the Arena do Grêmio alight. His five assists, however, have arguably been more impressive, showing vision beyond just finishing. In September, local media reported a surprise surge: in just 12 days he went from third-choice to undisputed starter after injuries and departures of teammates like Martin Braithwaite and Cristian Pavón.
Under Mano Menezes, André thrived in a system that favors long balls and aerial play, perfectly suiting his 1.89 m frame. He was decisive against Fortaleza and Cruzeiro with shots from distance and hold-up play for the midfielders. Yet Grêmio’s inconsistency—still fighting for a Libertadores spot—pushed him back to the bench in November. Recent games, such as the 3–2 defeat to Botafogo on November 22, saw him start but manage only one shot on target. Against Vasco he came off the bench with little impact.
ESPN stats show a player on the rise: 31 shots in the league, 13 on target, and a 72% pass-completion rate. Off the pitch he remains low-key; in interviews he speaks little but always praises veterans like Kannemann and Edenílson, who mentor him. His Instagram (@andrehenrique_11), with over 50,000 followers, is filled with training photos and family moments—he keeps the focus on football.
Latest Updates: Transfer Rumors and the Fluminense Match As the 2025 Brasileirão reaches its climax in December, André Henrique is at the center of a whirlwind of news. On the night of December 2, in the 37th-round clash against Fluminense, he had a goal disallowed by VAR in the 50th minute of the first half—a first-time finish from a Renê cross ruled out by the tightest of offside calls, leaving the fans frustrated. Grêmio lost 1–0 after conceding early, and André left the pitch visibly downcast but determined ahead of the final match against Corinthians.
The real buzz, however, is happening behind the scenes. Turkish club Göztepe, currently fourth in the Süper Lig, have made a lucrative offer, first reported by journalist Diogo Rossi. The bid is large enough to clear a Grêmio debt with Girona (Spain) that triggered a FIFA transfer ban, and it would quadruple André’s salary from roughly R$ 150,000 to nearly €100,000 per month (around R$ 600,000). Sources say the player is open to the move, seeing it as a chance to develop in a more competitive league.
However, the incoming Grêmio administration, led by newly elected president Odorico Roman for 2026, has put the brakes on the deal. In recent meetings, both the interim board and the future council decided to keep the striker, viewing him as a favorite of Mano Menezes and a cornerstone for next season. “André is our future,” a club official reportedly said, prioritizing stability after a financially turbulent year. With 80% of his rights now owned by Grêmio, the club is weighing counter-offers, but André has privately expressed frustration at being a frequent substitute and has even considered sitting out the final match if the sale progresses.
André’s Future: Europe or Loyalty to the Tricolor Looking to 2026, the coming year will be decisive for André Henrique. If he stays at Grêmio, he could become the undisputed starter as veterans depart and targeted reinforcements arrive. A Libertadores spot would be the perfect stage to showcase the goal-scoring instinct he displayed in 2024. If the Turkish offer—or rumored interest from Brazilian giants like São Paulo—materializes, he could take a major career leap and gain visibility for Brazil’s youth teams or even the senior national side.
Whatever path he takes, his journey is inspiring. From Guanambi to Porto Alegre via Itajaí and Belo Horizonte, André Henrique proves that talent combined with perseverance opens doors. In Brazilian football, where young players face fierce competition, he is a reminder that success comes in measured doses: one goal, one assist, one starting spot at a time. At 23, the Bahian has everything to become a reference—whether wearing the immortal Tricolor jersey or across the Atlantic.
As Grêmio fans pack the Arena in the coming days, chanting for him to stay, André keeps training. That disallowed goal against Fluminense? Just one chapter. The real test lies ahead: proving, goal by goal and match by match, that he belongs at the very top.
