Wendel

Born in Duque de Caxias, in Rio de Janeiro, Wendel developed through Fluminense's youth categories and made his professional debut in 2017, catching the attention of then coach Abel Braga while still in the under-20 team. A midfielder with quality technique, he was voted revelation of the Carioca Championship that year. In January 2018, Fluminense agreed to sell him to Sporting CP, Portugal, for approximately 7.5 million euros. At the Portuguese club, Wendel established himself as a regular in midfield and won the Portuguese Cup and two editions of the Portuguese League Cup. In October 2020, he was signed by Zenit Saint Petersburg for approximately 20 million euros, becoming one of the main references in Russian midfield, with three consecutive Russian Championship titles. For the Brazil national team, Wendel represented the Under-23 squad, winning the Toulon Tournament in 2019, but has not yet been called up to the senior team.