Matheus Saldanha
{{short description|Brazilian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Portuguese name|Saldanha|Marinho}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Matheus Saldanha
| image = Matheus Saldanha.jpg
| caption = Saldanha with Neftçi in 2023
| fullname = Matheus Bonifácio Saldanha Marinho
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|8|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = Uberaba, Brazil
| height = 1.85m
| currentclub = Ferencváros
| clubnumber = 11
| position = Forward
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Santos
| youthyears2 = 2016–2019
| youthclubs2 = Audax
| youthyears3 = 2018–2019
| youthclubs3 = → Bahia (loan)
| youthyears4 = 2019
| youthclubs4 = Bahia
| years1 = 2020–2022
| clubs1 = Bahia
| caps1 = 29
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 2021
| clubs2 = → JEF United Chiba (loan)
| caps2 = 31
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2022–2023
| clubs3 = JEF United Chiba
| caps3 = 16
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2022
| clubs4 = → Chengdu Rongcheng (loan)
| caps4 = 19
| goals4 = 3
| years5 = 2023
| clubs5 = → Neftçi (loan)
| caps5 = 17
| goals5 = 5
| years6 = 2023–2024
| clubs6 = Partizan
| caps6 = 28
| goals6 = 18
| years7 = 2024–
| clubs7 = Ferencváros
| caps7 = 22
| goals7 = 10
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = 12 May 2025
| ntupdate =
}}
Matheus Bonifácio Saldanha Marinho (born 19 August 1999), commonly known as Matheus Saldanha, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Hungarian club Ferencváros.
Club career
Born in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Saldanha joined Bahia's youth setup in 2018, initially on loan from Audax.{{cite web|url=https://jmonline.com.br/novo/?noticias,4,ESPORTE,200371|title=Bola dentro: Saldanha, um uberabense no EC Bahia|trans-title=Ball in: Saldanha, an uberabense in EC Bahia|publisher=Jornal da Manhã|language=pt-BR|date=13 August 2020|accessdate=14 November 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115232835/https://jmonline.com.br/manutencao.html|url-status=live}}[https://www.zerozero.pt/player.php?id=622020 Matheus Saldanha] at zerozero.pt On 1 July 2019, after impressing with the under-20 side, he was bought outright and signed a permanent three-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.esporteclubebahia.com.br/saldanha/|title=Saldanha|publisher=EC Bahia|language=pt-BR|date=1 July 2019|accessdate=14 November 2020|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104143645/https://www.esporteclubebahia.com.br/saldanha/|url-status=live}}
Saldanha was promoted to the first team for the 2020 season, and made his senior debut on 22 January of that year by starting in a 1–1 Campeonato Baiano away draw against Juazeirense.{{cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/ba/futebol/campeonato-baiano/jogo/22-01-2020/juazeirense-bahia.ghtml|title=Bahia joga mal, Juazeirense perde gols, e times ficam no empate na estreia do Baianão|trans-title=Bahia play poorly, Juazeirense miss goals, and teams end up drawing in the debut of the Baianão|publisher=GloboEsporte.com|language=pt-BR|date=22 January 2020|accessdate=14 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031155909/https://ge.globo.com/ba/futebol/campeonato-baiano/jogo/22-01-2020/juazeirense-bahia.ghtml|url-status=live}} He scored his first senior goal on 9 February, netting his team's second in a 3–1 away win against Jacobina.{{cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/ba/futebol/campeonato-baiano/jogo/09-02-2020/jacobina-bahia.ghtml|title=Em jogo com erros de arbitragem, Bahia vence o Jacobina de virada e assume topo|trans-title=In a match with refereeing errors, Bahia defeat Jacobina and go top|publisher=GloboEsporte.com|language=pt-BR|date=9 February 2020|accessdate=14 November 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115171801/https://globoesporte.globo.com/ba/futebol/campeonato-baiano/jogo/09-02-2020/jacobina-bahia.ghtml|url-status=live}}
Saldanha made his Série A on 12 August 2020, coming on as a second-half substitute for Rossi in a 1–0 home win against Coritiba.{{cite web|url=https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2020/08/12/bahia-x-coritiba.htm|title=Rodriguinho marca de cavadinha, e Bahia vence o Coritiba no Brasileirão|trans-title=Rodriguinho scores with a Panenka, and Bahia defeat Coritiba in the Brasileirão|publisher=UOL Esporte|language=pt-BR|date=12 August 2020|accessdate=14 November 2020|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117030129/https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2020/08/12/bahia-x-coritiba.htm|url-status=live}} His first goal in the category occurred on 16 September, as he scored his team's second in a 2–3 away loss against Corinthians.{{cite web|url=https://www.correio24horas.com.br/noticia/nid/em-meio-a-nova-derrota-saldanha-comemora-primeiro-gol-na-serie-a/|title=Em meio a nova derrota, Saldanha comemora primeiro gol na Série A|trans-title=Amidst new defeat, Saldanha celebrates first goal in the Série A|publisher=Correio 24 Horas|language=pt-BR|date=17 September 2020|accessdate=14 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116071141/https://www.correio24horas.com.br/noticia/nid/em-meio-a-nova-derrota-saldanha-comemora-primeiro-gol-na-serie-a/|url-status=live}}
In 2021, Saldanha joined to J2 club, JEF United Chiba on loan transfer. One year later, he was announcement officially permanently transfer to JEF United Chiba has been confirmed after a season as loan player from EC Bahia.
In 2022, Saldanha loaned again to Chinese Super League club, Chengdu Rongcheng for during mid 2022 season. He leave from the club after a half season at Chengdu expiration contract.
He returned to JEF United Chiba for the 2023 season.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.co.jp/official/detail/202301040013-spnaviow|title=成都蓉城足球倶楽部よりFWサウダーニャが復帰【千葉】|trans-title=Forward Saldanha returns from Chengdu Rongcheng Football Club [Chiba|publisher=Yahoo!|language=ja|date=4 January 2023|accessdate=4 January 2023|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104092810/https://sports.yahoo.co.jp/official/detail/202301040013-spnaviow|url-status=live}}
=Partizan=
On 28 July 2023, Saldanha signed a four-year contract with Serbian club Partizan for a reported fee of €1.3 million. Just one day later, Saldanha scored a goal on his debut in a 3–3 draw away at TSC.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/07/29/serbia/super-liga/fk-baka-topola/fk-partizan-beograd/4185485/|title=TSC VS. PARTIZAN 3 - 3|website=Soccerway.com|date=29 July 2023}} A week later, Saldanha scored his second goal in a 2–0 win over Vojvodina.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/06/serbia/super-liga/fk-vojvodina-novi-sad/fk-partizan-beograd/4185486/|title=VOJVODINA VS. PARTIZAN 0 - 2|website=Soccerway.com|date=6 August 2023}} In the third qualifying round for the UEFA Europa Conference League, Saldanha scored one goal in the two-legged tie against Sabah.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/17/europe/uefa-europa-conference-league/fk-partizan-beograd/azerbaijan-sabah-fk/4182161/|title=PARTIZAN VS. SABAH 2 - 0|website=Soccerway.com|date=17 August 2023}} On 27 August, Saldanha scored his third SuperLiga goal in a 3–1 win against Javor.{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/27/serbia/super-liga/fk-partizan-beograd/fk-javor-ivanjica/4185516/|title=PARTIZAN VS. JAVOR 3 - 1|website=Soccerway.com|date=27 August 2023}} In September and October, Saldanha continued his good form by scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists. On 20 December 2023, Saldanha scored the winning goal in the 171st Eternal derby in a 2–1 win against arch rivals Red Star.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/12/20/serbia/super-liga/fk-partizan-beograd/fk-crvena-zvezda-beograd/4185546/|title=PARTIZAN VS. RED STAR BELGRADE 2 - 1|website=Soccerway.com|date=20 December 2023}} Saldanha scored against Red Star again at the Rajko Mitić Stadium on 9 March 2024, as Red Star and Partizan drew 2–2 in the 172nd Eternal derby.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/09/serbia/super-liga/fk-crvena-zvezda-beograd/fk-partizan-beograd/4185666/|title=RED STAR BELGRADE VS. PARTIZAN 2 - 2|website=Soccerway.com|date=9 March 2024}} Saldanha finished the 2023–24 Serbian SuperLiga having played 27 games and scored 17 goals, becoming its joint top scorer.
=Ferencváros=
On September 3, 2024, he signed a contract with the Hungarian club Ferencváros.{{Cite web |title=WE HAVE SIGNED A TOP SCORER BRAZILIAN STRIKER |url=https://www.fradi.hu/en/football/men-s/news/we-have-signed-a-top-scorer-brazilian-striker |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.fradi.hu |publisher=Ferencvárosi TC |language=en}} On 15 September 2024, he debuted with a goal in a 3–0 victory against Budafoki MTE in the 2024–25 Magyar Kupa.{{Cite web |title=Budafoki MTE vs. Ferencváros - 15 September 2024 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/15/hungary/magyar-kupa/budafoki-mte/ferencvarosi-torna-club/4523250/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=int.soccerway.com}} On 20 September 2024, he scored his first league goal in a 3–1 victory against MTK Budapest at Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion in the 2024–25 Nemzeti Bajnokság I.{{Cite web |title=MTK vs. Ferencváros - 20 September 2024 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/20/hungary/nb-i/mtk-hungaria-fc/ferencvarosi-torna-club/4370748/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=int.soccerway.com}}
On 29 September 2024, he scored a hat-trick against Puskás Akadémia FC in the 2024-25 Nemzeti Bajnokság I at the Groupama Arena.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-29 |title=Saldanha mesterhármasával megverte a Fradi a Puskás Akadémiát |url=https://m.nemzetisport.hu/labdarugo-nb-i/2024/09/saldanha-mesterharmasaval-megverte-a-fradi-a-puskas-akademiat |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-29 |title=Matheus Saldanha beállt, majd bő negyedóra alatt triplázott a Puskás Akadémia ellen – VIDEÓ! |url=https://m.nemzetisport.hu/labdarugo-nb-i/2024/09/matheus-saldanha-beallt-majd-bo-negyedora-alatt-triplazott-a-puskas-akademia-ellen-video |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}
Career statistics
{{updated|12 May 2025}}{{Soccerway|matheus-bonifacio-saldanha-marinho/649725|Saldanha|accessdate=1 January 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|State league{{efn|Includes Campeonato Baiano}} !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Emperor's Cup, Azerbaijan Cup, Serbian Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Bahia
|2020 |17 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=COS|Appearances in Copa Sudamericana}} | 0 | 3{{efn|Appearances in Copa do Nordeste}} | 0 | 34 | 3 | |
| JEF United Chiba (loan)
|2021 |rowspan="2"|J2 League |31 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 3 | ||||
| rowspan="2"|JEF United Chiba
|2022 |16 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!47 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 48 | 4 | ||||
| Chengdu Rongcheng (loan)
|2022 |19 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 3 | ||||
| Neftçi (loan)
|17 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 5 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Partizan
|rowspan="2"|Serbian Superliga |27 | 17 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | 4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 18 | |||
| 2024–25
|1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|Two appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 3 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 18 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | 9 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 40 | 21 | |||
| Ferencváros
|22 | 10 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 3 | 10{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 14 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!150 | 42 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 199 | 50 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Bahia
Ferencváros
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{J.League player}}
- [https://www.esporteclubebahia.com.br/elenco/saldanha/ Bahia profile] {{in lang|pt-BR}}
{{Ferencvárosi TC squad}}
{{Serbian SuperLiga top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saldanha, Mateus}}
Category:Footballers from Uberaba
Category:Brazilian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players
Category:Esporte Clube Bahia players
Category:Chinese Super League players
Category:JEF United Chiba players
Category:Chengdu Rongcheng F.C. players
Category:Azerbaijan Premier League players
Category:Serbian SuperLiga players
Category:Brazilian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Japan
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Japan
Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Azerbaijan
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Azerbaijan
Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Serbia