Marcos Leonardo

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Marcos Leonardo

| image = Marcos-Leonardo-Santos-jul-2022.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Marcos Leonardo with Santos in 2022

| full_name = Marcos Leonardo Santos Almeida{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce89/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ SQUAD LIST: Brazil (BRA) |publisher=FIFA |page=2 |date=22 May 2023 |access-date=29 May 2023}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|5|2|df=y}}

| birth_place = Itapetinga, Brazil

| height = 1.75 m

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Al-Hilal

| clubnumber = 11

| youthyears1 = 2014–2020

| youthclubs1 = Santos

| years1 = 2020–2023

| clubs1 = Santos

| caps1 = 130

| goals1 = 43

| years2 = 2023–2024

| clubs2 = Benfica

| caps2 = 17

| goals2 = 8

| years3 = 2024–

| clubs3 = Al-Hilal

| caps3 = 24

| goals3 = 17

| nationalyears1 = 2019

| nationalteam1 = Brazil U16

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalgoals1 = 2

| nationalyears2 = 2021–2023

| nationalteam2 = Brazil U20

| nationalcaps2 = 13

| nationalgoals2 = 15

| club-update = 20:10, 17 April 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 16:42, 12 June 2023 (UTC)

}}

Marcos Leonardo Santos Almeida (born 2 May 2003), known as Marcos Leonardo ({{IPA|pt-BR|ˈmaʁkuz leoˈnaʁdu|lang}}), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

Club career

=Santos=

File:Marcos Leonardo - Copa do Brasil - Santos 1 x 0 Corinthians.jpg in 2022]]

Born in Itapetinga, Bahia, Marcos Leonardo moved to Taubaté, São Paulo in May 2014,{{cite web|url=https://www.diariodopeixe.com.br/noticias/promessa-que-marcou-em-jogo-treino-tem-mais-de-100-gols-no-peixe/|title=Promessa que marcou em jogo-treino tem mais de 100 gols no Peixe|trans-title=Prospect who scored in training match has more than 100 goals at Peixe|publisher=Diário do Peixe|language=pt-BR|date=1 July 2019|accessdate=22 July 2020}} and joined Santos' youth setup in August, after a trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.santosfc.com.br/conheca-marcos-leonardo-menino-da-vila-artilheiro-do-sub-15-do-santos-fc/|title=Conheça Marcos Leonardo, Menino da Vila artilheiro do Sub-15 do Santos FC|trans-title=Know Marcos Leonardo, Menino da Vila goalscorer of the under-15s of Santos FC|publisher=Santos FC|language=pt-BR|date=13 September 2018|accessdate=22 July 2020}} On 23 October 2019, he signed his first professional contract with the club, agreeing to a three-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.lance.com.br/santos/assina-primeiro-contrato-profissional-com-promessa-base.html|title=Santos assina primeiro contrato profissional com promessa da base|trans-title=Santos sign first professional contract with youth prospect|publisher=Lance!|language=pt-BR|date=23 October 2019|accessdate=22 July 2020}}

On 21 July 2020, Marcos Leonardo was one of the five youth graduates registered for the year's Campeonato Paulista.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazetaesportiva.com/times/santos/santos-inscreve-mais-cinco-da-base-no-campeonato-paulista/|title=Santos inscreve mais cinco da base no Campeonato Paulista|trans-title=Santos register five more from the youth setup in the Campeonato Paulista|publisher=Gazeta Esportiva|language=pt-BR|date=21 July 2020|accessdate=22 July 2020}} He made his professional – and Série A – debut on 20 August, coming on as a second-half substitute for Yeferson Soteldo in a 1–0 away win against Sport Recife.{{cite web|url=https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2020/08/20/sport-x-santos-campeonato-brasileiro-rodada-4.htm|title=Marinho decide mais uma vez, e Santos vence o Sport|trans-title=Marinho decides again, and Santos defeat Sport|publisher=UOL Esporte|language=pt-BR|date=20 August 2020|accessdate=20 August 2020}}

On 15 September 2020, Marcos Leonardo made his Copa Libertadores debut by replacing Raniel in a 0–0 home draw against Club Olimpia.{{cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/sp/santos-e-regiao/futebol/libertadores/jogo/15-09-2020/santos-olimpia.ghtml|title=Na volta da Libertadores, Santos fica no zero com Olimpia e mantém liderança|trans-title=In the return of the Libertadores, Santos draw blank with Olimpia and maintain leadership|publisher=Globo Esporte|language=pt-BR|date=15 September 2020|accessdate=16 September 2020}} He scored his first professional goal on 4 October, netting his team's third in a 3–2 away win against Goiás.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazetaesportiva.com/times/santos/marcos-leonardo-comemora-1o-gol-pelo-santos-sempre-fui-um-sonhador/|title=Marcos Leonardo comemora 1º gol pelo Santos: "Sempre fui um sonhador"|trans-title=Marcos Leonardo celebrates 1st goal for Santos: "I have always been a dreamer"|publisher=Gazeta Esportiva|language=pt-BR|date=4 October 2020|accessdate=5 October 2020}}

On 20 October 2020, Marcos Leonardo scored the winner in a 2–1 home success over Defensa y Justicia, becoming the sixth-youngest to score in the Libertadores, and the fourth-youngest Brazilian.{{cite web|url=https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/colunas/rodolfo-rodrigues/2020/10/20/marcos-leonardo-do-santos-e-o-6mais-jovem-a-marcar-na-libertadores.htm|title=Marcos Leonardo, do Santos, é o 6º mais jovem a marcar na Libertadores|trans-title=Marcos Leonardo, from Santos, is the 6th youngest to score in the Libertadores|publisher=UOL Esporte|language=pt-BR|date=20 October 2020|accessdate=25 October 2020}} He spent the 2021 campaign as a backup option, initially behind fellow youth graduate Kaio Jorge and subsequently behind new signing Léo Baptistão.

On 15 January 2022, Marcos Leonardo agreed to renew his contract with Santos until 2026.{{cite web|url=https://www.santosfc.com.br/santos-fc-garante-renovacao-de-marcos-leonardo/|title=Santos FC garante renovação de Marcos Leonardo|trans-title=Santos FC assure renewal of Marcos Leonardo|publisher=Santos FC|language=pt-BR|date=15 January 2022|accessdate=16 January 2022}} He became an undisputed starter, and started to score regularly for the club in the following years, becoming one of the 50 top goalscorers of their history after a winning goal against Palmeiras on 8 October 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2023/10/08/marcos-leonardo-entra-para-o-top-50-artilheiros-do-santos.htm|title=Marcos Leonardo entra para o Top 50 artilheiros do Santos|trans-title=Marcos Leonardo goes in the top 50 goalscorer of Santos|publisher=UOL Esporte|language=pt-BR|date=8 October 2023|accessdate=10 October 2023}}

=Benfica=

On 5 January 2024, Marcos Leonardo moved to Portugal, signing a five-and-a-half-year contract with Primeira Liga club Benfica,{{Cite web |date=5 January 2024 |title=Marcos Leonardo reforça o Benfica! |trans-title=Marcos Leonardo reinforces Benfica! |url=https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/agora/noticias/2024/01/04/futebol-benfica-marcos-leonardo-reforco |access-date=5 January 2024 |publisher=SL Benfica |language=pt-pt}} for a reported transfer fee of €18 million, with Santos having the right to 10% of the profit the Lisbon-based club receive from a future transfer. His release clause was set at €150 million.{{Cite news |date=5 January 2024 |title=Marcos Leonardo junta-se a Kokçu no clube dos 150 milhões |trans-title=Marcos Leonardo joins Kokçu in the 150 million club |url=https://www.ojogo.pt/4425549936/marcos-leonardo-junta-se-a-kokcu-no-clube-dos-150-milhoes/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=O Jogo}}

On each of his first three league games for Benfica, against Rio Ave, Boavista and Estrela da Amadora, Marcos Leonardo came on as a substitute during the second half and scored, helping seal 4–1, 2–0 and 4–1 victories, respectively.{{Cite news |last=Martins |first=André Cruz |date=14 January 2024 |title=Estreia de sonho de Marcos Leonardo em resultado muito enganador |trans-title=Marcos Leonardo's dream debut in a very misleading result |url=https://www.dn.pt/547042446/estreia-de-sonho-de-marcos-leonardo-em-resultado-muito-enganador/ |access-date=14 January 2024 |work=Diário de Notícias |language=pt-pt}}{{Cite web |date=19 January 2024 |title=Marcos Leonardo marca de novo, e Benfica vence Boavista no Português |trans-title=Marcos Leonardo scores again, and Benfica beats Boavista in the Portuguese league |url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/futebol-internacional/futebol-portugues/noticia/2024/01/19/marcos-leonardo-marca-de-novo-e-benfica-vence-boavista-no-portugues.ghtml |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=Globo Esporte |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |date=29 January 2024 |title=Já virou hábito. Marcos Leonardo volta a entrar e a marcar pelo Benfica |trans-title=It has become an habit. Marcos Leonardo once again comes in and scores for Benfica |url=https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/desporto/2491056/ja-virou-habito-marcos-leonardo-volta-a-entrar-e-a-marcar-pelo-benfica |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=Notícias ao Minuto |language=pt}} On 15 February 2024, he made his UEFA Europa League debut, coming off the bench to replace Arthur Cabral in the final minutes of a knockout round play-off match at home to Toulouse; he won a penalty that Ángel Di María converted, allowing Benfica to win by 2–1.{{Cite web |date=15 February 2024 |title=Marcos Leonardo: "Ter sofrido o penálti deixou-me muito feliz" |trans-title=Marcos Leonardo: «Suffering the foul made me very happy» |url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/benfica/liga-europa/marcos-leonardo-ter-sofrido-o-penalti-deixou-me-muito-feliz |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=MaisFutebol |language=pt-pt}}

=Al Hilal=

On 2 September 2024, Marcos Leonardo joined Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal on a five-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://alhilal.com/12860 |title=الهلال يتعاقد مع الدولي البرازيلي "ماركوس ليوناردو" |publisher=Al Hilal SFC |language=Arabic |date=2 September 2024 |access-date=2 September 2024}}

International career

Marcos Leonardo represented Brazil at under-17 level, playing in the 2019 Montaigu Tournament and UEFA Development Tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbf.com.br/selecao-brasileira/noticias/selecao-base-masculina/marcos-leonardo-comemora-retorno-a-selecao-brasileira-sub-17|title=Marcos Leonardo comemora retorno à Seleção Brasileira Sub-17|trans-title=Marcos Leonardo celebrates return to Brazil national under-17 team|publisher=CBF|language=pt-BR|date=10 March 2020|accessdate=22 July 2020}} On 12 February 2021, he and Santos teammate Renyer were called up to the under-18s.{{cite web|url=https://istoe.com.br/selecao-sub-18-e-convocada-com-santistas-marcos-leonardo-e-renyer/|title=Seleção sub-18 é convocada com santistas Marcos Leonardo e Renyer|trans-title=Under-18 national team is called up with Santos players Marcos Leonardo and Renyer|publisher=Istoé|language=pt-BR|date=12 February 2021|accessdate=1 March 2021}}

Personal life

Marcos Leonardo's father, known as Marcos Coringa, was also a footballer and a forward. He would only appear in amateur tournaments in his native Bahia, however.{{cite web|url=https://fbf.org.br/intermunicipal/index.php?menu=noticias&id=1001&num_pag=78&qtd_pag=10|title=Filho de campeão do Intermunicipal faz sucesso no Santos|trans-title=Son of an Intermunicipal champion makes his mark at Santos|publisher=FBF|language=pt-BR|date=17 October 2019|accessdate=22 July 2020}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 26 June 2025}}{{Soccerway|marcos-leonardo-santos-almeida/661754|accessdate=20 August 2020}}

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|State league{{efn\|Includes Campeonato Paulista}} !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes Copa do Brasil, Taça de Portugal, King's Cup}} !colspan="2"\|League cup{{efn\|Includes Taça da Liga}} !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="5" valign="center"\|Santos \|2020 \|Série A \|18	4	0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	3{{efn\|name=COL\|Appearances in Copa Libertadores}}	1	colspan="2"\|—	22	5
2021 \|Série A \|16	5	7	0	6	1	colspan="2"\|—	11{{efn\|Nine appearances and one goal in Copa Libertadores, two appearances in Copa Sudamericana}}	1	colspan="2"\|—	40	7
2022 \|Série A \|35	13	12	4	6	2	colspan="2"\|—	4{{efn\|name=COS\|Appearances in Copa Sudamericana}}	2	colspan="2"\|—	57	21
2023 \|Série A \|31	13	11	4	4	3	colspan="2"\|—	3{{efn\|name=COS}}	1	colspan="2"\|—	49	21
colspan="2"\|Total !100	35	30	8	17	6	colspan="2"\|—	21	5	colspan="2"\|—	168	54
rowspan="3"\|Benfica \|2023–24 \|Primeira Liga \|14	7	colspan="2"\|—	2	0	1	0	4{{efn\|Appearance in UEFA Europa League\|name=UEL}}	0	colspan="2"\|—	21	7
2024–25 \|Primeira Liga \|3	1	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	3	1
colspan="2"\|Total !17	8	colspan="2"\|—	2	0	1\|\|0	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	24	8
Al Hilal \|2024–25 \|Saudi Pro League \|24	17	colspan="2"\|—	3	3	colspan="2"\|—	11{{efn\|Appearances in AFC Champions League Elite}}	5	3{{efn\|Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup}}	1	41	26
colspan="3"\|Career total !141	60	30	8	22	9	1	0	36	10	3	1	233	88

Honours

Individual

FIFA U-20 World Cup Silver Boot: 2023{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/casadei-matturro-lee-marcos-leonardo-cortes-golden-silver-bronze-ball-boot-awards-u20-world-cup-argentina-2023|title=Casadei claims a golden double|date=11 June 2023|access-date=12 June 2023}}
Saudi Pro League Player of the Month: January 2025