After Santos’ relegation
Updated: January 5, 2024 6:35 a.m., published: January 3, 2024, 3:01 p.m
After Endrick (17; from summer Real Madrid) and Vitor Roque (18; Barcelona), Marcos Leonardo, the third great strike talent from Brazil, has decided on a new club. After the much-discussed relegation of traditional club FC Santos, the 20-year-old is joining Benfica Lisbon under coach Roger Schmidt. The Portuguese confirmed the transfer and the transfer details.
Goals & highlights from Santos striker Marcos Leonardo
Marcelo Teixeira, president of the club from the state of São Paulo, posted on Thursday afternoon on Instagram a picture that shows him exchanging jerseys with Benfica sports director Rui Pedro Braz. The club boss wrote that he received the Lisbon manager on Tuesday afternoon and then spoke on the phone with his counterpart Rui Costa, “who made an offer for our striker Marcos Leonardo.”
The offer satisfied Teixeira: according to the club, a transfer fee of 18 million euros is due for the most valuable player after Endrick (40 million), who is still active in Brazil. Santos receives a 10 percent share of the profits from a potential resale. Marcos Leonardo also has a €150 million exit clause in his contract, which is valid until June 2029.
Neymar 3x in top 5: The most expensive Brazilians in football history
22 Vinicius Junior | 2018/19 from Flamengo to Real | Transfer fee €45 million
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As of: October 2023
22 Ronaldo | 2002/03 from Inter to Real Madrid | Transfer fee €45 million
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22 Fabinho | 2018/19 from AS Monaco to Liverpool FC | Transfer fee €45 million
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22 Rodrygo | 2019/20 from FC Santos to Real Madrid | Transfer fee €45 million
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21 Fabinho | 2023/24 from Liverpool FC to Al-Ittihad Club | Transfer fee €46.7 million
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20 David Luiz | 2014/15 from Chelsea to PSG | Transfer fee €49.5 million
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17 Alex Teixeira | 2015/16 from Shakhtar to JS Suning | Transfer fee €50 million
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17 Matheus Cunha | 2023/24 from Altético to Wolverhamption | Transfer fee €50 million
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17 Eder Militão | 2019/20 from FC Porto to Real | Transfer fee €50 million
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16 Gabriel Jesus | Man City to Arsenal in 2022/23 | Transfer fee €52.2 million
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15 Hulk | 2016/17 from Zenit to Shanghai SIPG | Transfer fee €56 million
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13 Raphinha | 2022/23 from Leeds to FC Barcelona | Transfer fee €58 million
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13 Richarlison | 2022/23 from Everton to Tottenham | Transfer fee €58 million
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12 Fred | 2018/19 from Shakhtar to Man United | Transfer fee €59 million
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10 Oscar | 2016/17 from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG | Transfer fee €60 million
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10 Malcom | 2023/24 from Zenit to Al-Hilal | Transfer fee €60 million
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9 Alisson | 2018/19 from AS Roma to Liverpool FC | Transfer fee €62.5 million
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8 Kaka | 2009/10 from AC Milan to Real Madrid | Transfer fee €67 million
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7 Casemiro | 2022/23 from Real Madrid to Man United | Transfer fee €70.7 million
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6 Arthur | 2020/21 from FC Barcelona to Juventus Turin | Transfer fee €76 million
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5 Neymar | 2013/14 from FC Santos to FC Barcelona | Transfer fee €88 million
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4 Neymar | 2023/24 from PSG to Al-Hilal | Transfer fee €90 million
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3 Antony | 2022/23 from Ajax Amsterdam to Man United | Transfer fee €95 million
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2 Philippe Coutinho | 2017/18 from Liverpool FC to Barça | Transfer fee €135 million
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1 Neymar | 2017/18 from FC Barcelona to PSG | Transfer fee €222 million
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In Santos’ history, four departures have been more expensive so far: Neymar (88 million), Rodrygo (45 million), Gabigol (29.5 million) and Robinho (24 million). At Benfica, Marcos Leonardo is level with Pedrinho in ninth place. The Schmidt team has been missing a very accurate center forward so far this season. Rafa (30) and Ángel Di María (35) are the top scorers with nine competitive goals each, but neither usually plays on the nine. Petar Musa (25), Arthur Cabral (25) and the currently injured Casper Tengstedt (23) scored five, four and three goals respectively – none of the players have been consistently scored over the course of the season.
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