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 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 | Braga | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| 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 | 22 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2019 | Portugal U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Portugal U21 | 5 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22:38, 21 February 2026 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Olhanense
Lelo was born in Olhão, Algarve, and finished his development in the academy of S.C. Olhanense. After starting his senior career with the club in the third division,[2] he was loaned to Portimonense S.C. 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 A.C. of unspecified duration.[4] He made his professional debut on 24 July, scoring in a in a 4–1 away win against Académico de Viseu F.C. 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 C.D. Santa Clara.[9] He scored his first goal also from the 11-meter spot, helping to a 2–1 victory at C.S. Marítimo on 3 October.[10]
Braga
On 22 May 2025, Lelo joined S.C. Braga on a four-year deal with a €30 million buyout clause.[11]
International career
Career statistics
- As of match played 12 March 2026[15]
| 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 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11[a] | 0 | 39 | 1 |
| Career Total | 204 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 240 | 11 | ||
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
Honours
Individual
- Liga Portugal 2 Team of the Season: 2021–22[16]