Matheusinho

For the Brazilian footballer born in July 1998, see Matheus Santos (footballer).

Not to be confused with Mateusinho; Matheuzinho (footballer, born 1993); Matheuzinho (footballer, born 1997); or Matheuzinho (footballer, born 2000).

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Sales and the second or paternal family name is Cardoso.

Matheus Leonardo Sales Cardoso (born 11 February 1998), commonly known as Matheusinho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Santa Clara as an attacking midfielder.

Matheusinho

Personal information
Full name	Matheus Leonardo Sales Cardoso
Date of birth	(1998-02-11) 11 February 1998 (age 27)
Place of birth	Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Height	1.64 m (5 ft 4+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	Santa Clara
Number	7
Youth career
2011–2016	América Mineiro
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2020	América Mineiro	126	(15)
2020–2022	Beitar Jerusalem	14	(2)
2021–2022	→ FC Ashdod (loan)	14	(1)
2022–2024	América Mineiro	58	(5)
2024–2025	Criciúma	28	(5)
2025–	Santa Clara	9	(0)
International career
2015	Brazil U17	3	(0)
2016–2017	Brazil U20	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:07, 30 May 2025 (UTC)

Club career

Born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Matheusinho joined América Mineiro's youth setup in 2011, aged 13.^[1] In 2016, he was promoted to the main squad by manager Givanildo Oliveira.

Matheusinho made his first team debut on 19 March 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute for Tiago Luís in a 0–2 Campeonato Mineiro away loss against Tombense.^[2] He appeared in two further matches during the tournament, as his side was crowned champions.

Matheusinho made his Série A debut on 2 June 2016, replacing Alan Mineiro in a 1–2 home loss against Ponte Preta.^[3] On 30 September, after already becoming a starter under new manager Enderson Moreira, he renewed his contract until 2021.^[4] On 18 September 2020 he was transferred and signed a 5 year contract with Beitar Jerusalem for an undisclosed fee.^[5]

Career statistics

As of 3 May 2025^[6]

Club	Season	League			State League		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
América Mineiro	2016	Série A	18	0	3	0	2	0	—		0	0	23	0
	2017	Série B	24	2	5	1	0	0	—		2[a]	0	31	3
	2018	Série A	17	2	0	0	0	0	—		—		12	1
	2019	Série B	31	6	12	3	2	0	—		—		45	9
	2020		9	1	7	0	1	0	—		—		17	1
	Total		99	11	27	4	5	0	—		2	0	133	15
Beitar Jerusalem	2020–21	Israeli Premier League	13	2	—		2	0	—		—		15	2
	2021–22		1	0	—		0	0	—		2[b]	0	3	0
	Total		14	2	—		2	0	—		2	0	18	2
F.C. Ashdod (loan)	2021–22	Israeli Premier League	14	1	—		1	0	—		—		15	1
América Mineiro	2022	Série A	28	2	7	0	5	1	6[c]	0	—		46	3
	2023		7	0	12	2	4	0	7	2	—		23	2
	2024		0	0	4	1	0	0	0	0	—		4	1
	Total		35	2	23	3	9	1	13	2	—		80	8
Criciúma	2024	Série A	28	5	—		2	0	—		—		30	5
Santa Clara	2024–25	Primeira Liga	7	0	—		—		—		—		7	0
Career total			197	21	50	7	19	1	13	2	4	0	283	31

1. Appearance(s) in Primeira Liga
2. Appearance(s) in Toto Cup Al
3. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores

Honours

América Mineiro

• Campeonato Mineiro: 2016
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2017