Matheus Nascimento de Paula (born 3 March 2004) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Grêmio.
Club career Originally a member of the Trops youth development center (based in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro) Matheus joined Botafogo at the age of 11, thanks to a partnership between the school and the fellow Carioca club. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising prospects in the team's academy ever since, having scored more than 150 goals with several different formations.
Following his impressive performances in the youth sector, in 2020 Matheus was first introduced to Botafogo's first team during their campaign in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and signed his first professional contract on 12 June, establishing his link with the club until 2023. Some months after, on 6 September, he proceeded to make his professional debut, coming in for Matheus Babi at the 80th-minute of a 2–2 away draw against Corinthians: at 16 years, 6 months and 3 days, he also became the youngest player ever to get on the pitch for the Rio-based team.
Although he eventually got involved in Botafogo's third relegation to the Série B, Matheus still managed to get his first feature in the starting XI, as well: in fact, as Alexander Lecaros got ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19, on 20 January 2021, Matheus was chosen to start the home match against Atlético Goianiense, which ended in a 3–1 loss for his side.
On 19 February 2025, Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy signed Nascimento on a season-long loan with a purchase option. On 14 June, Nascimento scored his first goal for the team in a 3–3 draw with St. Louis City SC through an assist from Marco Reus. At the conclusion of the season, the Galaxy entered discussions to resign him for the 2026 season.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueState leagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBotafogo2020Série A110————1102021Série B3010120——1512022Série A23010542——3772023Série A511013110—1832024Série A10510020—71Total4313589330—8812LA Galaxy (loan)2025Major League Soccer224——1053287Career total6553589340539012 Notes
Honours Botafogo Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2021 Taça Rio: 2023, 2024 Copa Libertadores: 2024 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2024
Brazil U23 Pan American Games: 2023
References
External links