Léo Pereira (Born 1996): Age, Net Worth, Salary, Career & Current Team
Léo Pereira is a Brazilian centre-back who plays for Flamengo in the Campeonato Brasileiro. He is one of the most experienced defenders in South American club football and is part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Brazil squad. At 30 years old, he brings leadership and defensive solidity to the Seleção.
Who is Léo Pereira?
Leonardo Pereira, known as Léo Pereira, is a Brazilian professional footballer born on 31 January 1996. He plays as a centre-back for Flamengo in the Campeonato Brasileiro and has recently earned senior caps for Brazil. He is a Copa Libertadores winner and a key figure at one of South America’s biggest clubs.
Early Life and Background
Léo Pereira was born on 31 January 1996 in Curitiba, the capital of Paraná state in southern Brazil. Curitiba is known as a footballing city and Léo grew up surrounded by the sport. He showed potential from an early age and pursued professional football seriously as a teenager.
His early development took place in the youth system at Atlético Paranaense, his local club. That connection to his home city shaped the early part of his career. He made his Série A debut for the club on 3 May 2014 as a teenager. It was the start of a long professional journey.
Birthplace, family, and youth football journey
Léo came through the Atlético Paranaense academy system before breaking into the first team. He had loan spells at Guaratinguetá, Náutico, and in the United States with Orlando City during his development years. Those experiences gave him exposure to different styles of play. They also shaped him into the well-rounded defender he became at Flamengo.
Léo Pereira Personal Info and Profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Leonardo Pereira |
| Date of birth | 31 January 1996 |
| Age | 30 |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 80 kg (176 lbs) |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Flamengo |
| Jersey number | 4 |
| Weekly salary | approximately £15,000 per week |
| Estimated net worth | approximately $3 million |
Transfer News and Market Value
Léo Pereira moved from Atlético Paranaense to Flamengo in January 2020. That transfer took him to the biggest club in Brazil and one of the most famous in South America. He has been a regular starter at the Maracanã since joining and has no reported intentions of moving to Europe.
His market value reflects his status as one of the best centre-backs in Brazilian football. He signed a contract extension with Flamengo keeping him at the club through 2026. Any move to Europe would likely attract significant interest from clubs in Portugal, Spain, or Italy.
Léo Pereira Salary and Net Worth
Léo Pereira earns approximately £15,000 per week. This figure is based on widely reported estimates from football finance sources and may vary.
Léo Pereira’s estimated net worth is approximately $3 million. This estimate accounts for career earnings, endorsements, and commercial interests throughout a professional career at the highest level.
Léo Pereira Club Career
Léo Pereira spent five productive years at Atlético Paranaense before making the move to Flamengo. At Flamengo, he has won major trophies and cemented himself as one of Brazil’s best centre-backs. His career arc is one of the most impressive in Brazilian football over the past decade.
Early clubs and development
He made 80 league appearances for Atlético Paranaense and scored 7 goals from 2014 to 2019. Loan spells at Guaratinguetá, Náutico, and Orlando City helped him gain experience at different levels. He returned to Atlético Paranaense stronger each time. By 2019, he was ready for the step up to Flamengo.
The move to Orlando City on loan in 2017 was a notable part of his development. He experienced MLS football and different training methods during that spell. That exposure broadened his footballing knowledge. He returned to Brazil with a more complete understanding of the game.
Current club and recent form
Léo Pereira has made over 152 league appearances for Flamengo since 2020 and scored 9 goals. He has won the Copa Libertadores twice, in 2022 and 2025, with the Rio de Janeiro club. He also won the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2020 and 2025. His trophy cabinet at Flamengo is among the most impressive in Brazilian club football.
In the 2025-26 season, he has continued as a regular starter in Flamengo’s backline. He was named in the Copa Libertadores Team of the Tournament in 2025, underlining his importance to the club. That form earned him a call-up to the Brazil senior squad. He enters the 2026 World Cup with excellent momentum from club level.
Léo Pereira — Club Career Stats
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–19 | Atlético Paranaense | 80 | 7 | – |
| 2015 | Guaratinguetá (loan) | 8 | 2 | – |
| 2017 | Orlando City (loan) | 10 | 0 | – |
| 2020–23 | Flamengo | 100 | 6 | – |
| 2023–24 | Flamengo | 32 | 2 | – |
| 2024–26 | Flamengo | 20+ | 1+ | – |
International Career
Léo Pereira represents the Brazil national team at senior level, earning his debut in 2026. He has 2 senior caps for the Seleção. He also represented Brazil at under-17 and under-20 level earlier in his career.
His late breakthrough at senior level reflects the high level of competition for places in Brazil’s defence. His Copa Libertadores performances in 2025 were a major factor in his national team call-up. Brazil’s coaching staff see him as a reliable option when needed alongside Marquinhos and Gleison Bremer. The 2026 World Cup is his first senior major international tournament.
Caps, goals, and major tournaments
Léo Pereira has 2 senior caps for Brazil as of 2026 and is yet to score at international level. His youth international record includes appearances at under-17 and under-20 level. He earned his first senior cap in 2026, ahead of the World Cup tournament. That recognition came on the back of his outstanding club performances for Flamengo.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2 | 0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup |
Honours and Trophies
| Honour | Club / Organisation | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Copa Libertadores | Flamengo | 2022, 2025 |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | Flamengo | 2020, 2025 |
| Copa do Brasil | Flamengo | yet to be confirmed |
| Bola de Prata | Individual | 2025 |
| Copa Libertadores Team of the Tournament | Individual | 2025 |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Léo Pereira is a commanding centre-back who leads Flamengo’s defensive line with authority. He is strong in aerial duels and effective in one-on-one situations. His pass completion rate is consistently high, showing his ability to play out from the back. He also communicates well with teammates to organise the defensive shape.
He reads the game well and rarely finds himself in trouble positionally. His experience in high-stakes South American competitions has made him mentally tough. He performs at his best in big matches, which bodes well for a World Cup environment. Brazil will benefit from his composure and leadership in defence.
Position, role, and standout qualities
Léo Pereira plays as a right-sided centre-back in Flamengo’s defensive structure. He is comfortable in a back four or a three-man defence. His ability to play out from the back and his aerial power make him a complete modern defender. Those qualities suit the demands of a major international tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Léo Pereira and where is he from?
Léo Pereira was born on 31 January 1996, making him 30 years old. He was born in Curitiba, the capital of Paraná state in southern Brazil.
What club does Léo Pereira play for?
Léo Pereira plays for Flamengo in the Brazilian Série A. He joined the club in January 2020 and wears the number 4 shirt.
Will Léo Pereira play for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup?
Léo Pereira is part of the Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He earned his senior debut in 2026 on the back of outstanding Copa Libertadores performances with Flamengo.
What is Léo Pereira’s playing style?
Léo Pereira is a commanding centre-back known for his aerial ability, leadership, and high pass completion. He organises defensive lines well and is comfortable playing out from the back.
What is Léo Pereira’s salary and net worth?
The exact salary and net worth of Léo Pereira have not been officially confirmed. Both figures will be updated soon.
Conclusion
Léo Pereira has built an impressive career at club level, winning multiple Copa Libertadores titles and league crowns with Flamengo. His senior Brazil debut in 2026 capped a journey that began in Curitiba and took him to the top of South American football. At 30 years old, he brings experience and composure to Brazil’s World Cup squad. He is ready for the biggest stage of his career.
His Copa Libertadores pedigree and defensive quality make him a valuable asset for the Seleção. Check fwctimes.com for updated stats, squad news, and the full FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule throughout the tournament.
