Thiago Helguera

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Helguera and the second or maternal family name is Merello.

Thiago Emanuel Helguera Merello (born 26 March 2006) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Primeira Liga club Braga.^[2]

Thiago Helguera

Personal information
Full name	Thiago Emanuel Helguera Merello[1]
Date of birth	(2006-03-26) 26 March 2006 (age 19)
Place of birth	Paysandú, Uruguay[1]
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Braga
Number	22
Youth career
	Sportivo Independencia
2020–2023	Nacional
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–2024	Nacional	16	(0)
2024–	Braga	1	(0)
2024–	Braga B	13	(0)
International career
2021	Uruguay U15	1	(0)
2022–2023	Uruguay U17	18	(0)
2024–2025	Uruguay U20	13	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 30 May 2025

Club career

Born in Paysandú, Helguera began his career with local side Sportivo Independencia, representing the club at the under-13 national finals in 2019.^[3] He joined the academy of Nacional the following year,^[4] and was promoted to the first team, signing his first contract, in January 2023.^[5] He played his first game for the club in the 2023 edition of the Copa Río de la Plata, as Nacional lost to Argentinian opposition Colón de Santa Fe 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.^[6]

Helguera made his professional debut in the Uruguayan Primera División on 30 April 2023, coming on as a second-half substitute for Diego Zabala in a 3–0 win against La Luz.^[7] Following the game, Nacional manager Álvaro Gutiérrez said of Helguera "he has the tools, but you have to go carefully and slowly so that he can develop them".^[7]

On 14 June 2024, Helguera joined Primeira Liga club Braga on a five-year deal until June 2029.^[2]

International career

Helguera has represented Uruguay at under-17 level.^[1] In January 2025, he was named in Uruguay's 23-man squad for the 2025 South American U-20 Championship.^[8]

Career statistics

Club

As of 29 September 2024.^[9]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Nacional	2023	Uruguayan Primera División	12	0	0	0	—		1[a]	0	0	0	13	0
	2024	Uruguayan Primera División	4	0	0	0	—		3[a]	0	0	0	7	0
	Total		16	0	0	0	—		4	0	0	0	20	0
Braga	2024–25	Primeira Liga	1	0	0	0	0	0	1[b]	0	—		2	0
Career total			17	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	22	0

Notes

1. Appearances in Copa Libertadores
2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League