Leonardo Lelo
Portuguese footballer
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Leonardo Filipe da Cruz Lelo (born 30 March 2000) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Segunda División club Almería, on loan from Primeira Liga club Braga.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Leonardo Filipe da Cruz Lelo[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 30 March 2000[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Olhão, Portugal | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Left-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Almería (on loan from Braga) | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011–2016 | Olhanense | ||
| 2016–2017 | Vitória Setúbal | ||
| 2017 | Louletano | ||
| 2017–2018 | Olhanense | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2021 | Olhanense | 56 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | → Portimonense (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2021–2025 | Casa Pia | 126 | (8) |
| 2025– | Braga | 29 | (0) |
| 2026– | → Almería (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2019 | Portugal U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Portugal U21 | 5 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:05, 16 May 2026 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Olhanense
Lelo was born in Olhão, Algarve, and finished his development in the academy of Olhanense. After starting his senior career with the club in the third division,[2] he was loaned to Portimonense of Primeira Liga for the 2020–21 season, but only managed to appear for their under-23 side.[3]
Casa Pia
On 16 June 2021, Lelo signed a contract with Casa Pia of unspecified duration.[4] He made his professional debut on 24 July, scoring in a 4–1 away win against Académico de Viseu in the first round of the Taça da Liga.[5] His first appearance in the Liga Portugal 2 took place on 7 August against the same opponents, now in a 2–1 loss.[6] He netted five times from 34 games in his debut campaign, helping to a return to the top division for the first time in 83 years; for his displays, he was included in the Team of the Year.[7][8]
Lelo made his top-flight debut on 7 August 2022, missing a penalty in the tenth minute of a 0–0 draw away to Santa Clara.[9] He scored his first goal also from the eleven-meter spot, helping to a 2–1 victory at Marítimo on 3 October.[10]
Braga
On 22 May 2025, Lelo joined Braga on a four-year deal with a €30 million buyout clause.[11] He made 47 appearances in his first season while leading the team in assists,[12] but was subsequently completely ostracised by manager Carlos Vicens.[13]
On 1 September 2026, Lelo moved to Segunda División side Almería on a one-year loan.[14]
International career
Career statistics
- As of match played 16 May 2026[18]
| Club | Season | League | Taça de Portugal | Taça da Liga | Europe | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Olhanense | 2018–19 | Campeonato de Portugal | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 56 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 59 | 0 | ||||
| Portimonense (loan) | 2020–21 | Primeira Liga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| Casa Pia | 2021–22 | Liga Portugal 2 | 34 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 40 | 7 | |
| 2022–23 | Primeira Liga | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2023–24 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 38 | 1 | |||
| 2024–25 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 33 | 1 | |||
| Total | 126 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 1 | — | 142 | 10 | |||
| Braga | 2025–26 | Primeira Liga | 29 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 12[a] | 0 | 47 | 1 |
| Career Total | 211 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 248 | 11 | ||
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
Honours
Individual
- Liga Portugal 2 Team of the Season: 2021–22[19]