What Happened to Matheus Fernandes Siqueira?
Matheus Fernandes Siqueira is a Brazilian central midfielder whose career gained international attention with a high-profile, yet ultimately unsuccessful, transfer to FC Barcelona in 2020. After a brief and tumultuous spell in Spain, including a loan to Real Valladolid and a contract termination, he returned to Brazilian football. He currently plays for Red Bull Bragantino, having joined permanently in January 2024 after an initial loan spell.
Quick Answer
Matheus Fernandes Siqueira, the Brazilian central midfielder, is currently playing for Red Bull Bragantino in Brazil, where he joined permanently in January 2024. His career saw a significant but brief move to FC Barcelona in 2020, where he made only one appearance before his contract was terminated in 2021. Following this, he returned to Palmeiras and had a loan spell at Athletico Paranaense before finding a stable role at Bragantino, where he continues to play as of August 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Promoted to Botafogo First Team
Matheus Fernandes was promoted to Botafogo's main squad, marking the beginning of his senior career.
Senior Debut for Botafogo
He made his senior debut for Botafogo in a Campeonato Carioca match against Nova Iguaçu.
Became Regular Starter and Won Campeonato Carioca
Fernandes became a regular starter for Botafogo, appearing in 32 league matches and winning the Campeonato Carioca.
Signed by Palmeiras
After strong performances with Botafogo, Matheus Fernandes signed a five-year contract with Palmeiras.
Transferred to FC Barcelona and Loaned to Real Valladolid
FC Barcelona announced an agreement to sign Fernandes from Palmeiras for €7 million plus €3 million in add-ons. He was immediately loaned to Real Valladolid for the remainder of the season.
Only Barcelona Appearance
Matheus Fernandes made his sole appearance for Barcelona's first team, playing 17 minutes in a UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv.
Won Copa del Rey with Barcelona
Although he did not play in the competition, Matheus Fernandes was part of the Barcelona squad that won the Copa del Rey.
Contract Terminated by Barcelona
FC Barcelona unilaterally terminated Matheus Fernandes's contract, which was originally set to run until June 2025.
Returned to Palmeiras
After his contract termination with Barcelona, Matheus Fernandes signed a 4.5-year contract to return to Palmeiras.
Loaned to Athletico Paranaense
Palmeiras loaned Matheus Fernandes to Athletico Paranaense until the end of the 2022 season.
Loaned to Red Bull Bragantino
Matheus Fernandes was loaned from Palmeiras to Red Bull Bragantino for the 2023 season.
Won Lawsuit Against Barcelona
A Spanish court ordered FC Barcelona to pay Matheus Fernandes €8.5 million for unfair dismissal after his contract was terminated.
Joined Red Bull Bragantino Permanently
Red Bull Bragantino acquired Matheus Fernandes permanently from Palmeiras for a reported fee of €1.8 million after a successful loan spell.
Interview with Red Bull Bragantino
Matheus Fernandes gave an interview discussing Red Bull Bragantino's performance and the importance of training periods.
Current Status at Red Bull Bragantino
As of today, Matheus Fernandes continues to play as a central midfielder for Red Bull Bragantino in Brazil.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Matheus Fernandes Siqueira, born on June 30, 1998, in Itaboraí, Brazil, began his professional football career at Botafogo, making his senior debut in 2017. He quickly established himself as a promising central midfielder, known for his defensive qualities and ability to distribute the ball. His strong performances led to a move to Palmeiras in 2019.
A pivotal moment in his career came on January 31, 2020, when FC Barcelona announced an agreement to sign Fernandes from Palmeiras for €7 million plus €3 million in add-ons, with the player set to join in July 2020. Prior to officially joining Barcelona, he was immediately loaned to fellow La Liga side Real Valladolid for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season, where he made only three appearances. His time at Barcelona was notably brief and challenging; he was never formally presented to the media, did not participate in pre-season friendlies due to injury, and ultimately made only one competitive appearance for the first team – a 17-minute cameo in a UEFA Champions League match in November 2020.
On June 29, 2021, Barcelona unilaterally terminated his contract, which was initially set to run until June 2025. Fernandes subsequently took legal action against the club, alleging unfair dismissal. In January 2023, a Spanish court ruled in his favor, ordering Barcelona to pay him €8.5 million in compensation.
Following his departure from Barcelona, Fernandes returned to Palmeiras on July 9, 2021, signing a contract until December 2025. However, his second stint at Palmeiras also saw limited playing time. He was loaned to Athletico Paranaense for the 2022 season, where he made 18 appearances. In January 2023, he was again loaned out, this time to Red Bull Bragantino. His performances during this loan spell were evidently positive, as Red Bull Bragantino made the move permanent on January 1, 2024, acquiring him from Palmeiras for a reported fee of €1.8 million.
As of August 29, 2026, Matheus Fernandes Siqueira remains a key player for Red Bull Bragantino. He has been actively involved in the 2026 season, participating in various competitions including the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Campeonato Paulista, and Copa Betano do Brasil. In March 2026, he was quoted discussing the team's performance and the importance of training periods. His career, marked by the highs of a Barcelona transfer and the lows of its abrupt end, has since stabilized in his home country, where he continues to contribute as a central midfielder.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Matheus Fernandes Siqueira made different choices?