He became a naturalized Emirati and made his debut for the UAE national team in March 2025.
Throughout his career, Caio has won multiple titles, including the J1 League and the UAE Pro League.
Caio Lucas is an Emirati association football player who has made a significant impact in both club and international football.
Biography
Early Life
Caio Lucas Fernandes, known simply as Caio Lucas, was born in Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. He began his football journey at the tender age of eight, playing for local clubs SMER Bosque Araçatuba and América-SP. His early years were spent in the youth teams of São Paulo from 2005 to 2009, but despite his talent, he struggled to break into professional football. After unsuccessful attempts to join Santos and Palmeiras, he returned to América. Just when he was about to give up on his dreams, a Japanese university discovered him during a match in Birigui, leading to a life-changing move to Japan at 17.
Career Development
In Japan, Caio enrolled in Chiba Kokusai High School, where he honed his skills for three years. His professional career took off when he joined the J1 League club Kashima Antlers in 2014. Under the guidance of coach Toninho Cerezo, he made an impressive debut season, scoring eight goals and earning the J. League's Young Player of the Year award. His time at Kashima was marked by significant achievements, including winning the J1 League in 2016 and the J.League Cup in 2015.
After a successful stint in Japan, Caio moved to the Emirati club Al Ain, where he reached the FIFA Club World Cup Final in 2018. In 2020, he signed with Portuguese club Benfica, but soon after, he was loaned to Sharjah in the UAE, where he continued to make his mark.
International Career
Though born in Brazil, Caio Lucas became a naturalized citizen of the United Arab Emirates. He was called up to the UAE national team for the first time in March 2025, making his debut in a World Cup qualifying match against Iran. His transition from Brazilian football to representing the UAE showcases his adaptability and commitment to the sport.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of match played 25 May 2025
International
As of match played 18 December 2025
As of match played 18 December 2025 United Arab Emirates score listed first, score column indicates score after each Caio Lucas goal
Born in Araçatuba, São Paulo, Caio Lucas started playing football in 2002, aged 8, at local clubs SMER Bosque Araçatuba and América-SP. He then played for São Paulo's youth teams from 2005 to 2009 but could not become professional, so he left the club and unsuccessfully tried to join rivals Santos and Palmeiras before returning to América. In 2011, when he was prepared to give up on football, he was discovered by a Japanese university that was playing in Birigui, Brazil. Almost aged 17, he moved to Japan that year to enroll in Chiba Kokusai High School in Kimitsu, where he played for three years. After his graduation, Caio Lucas joined the J1 League club, the Kashima Antlers in 2014. In his first professional season, under the coaching of Toninho Cerezo, Caio scored eight goals as Kashima Antlers qualified for the AFC Champions League. Moreover, he was named J. League's Young Player of the Year in 2014 and won the 2016 J1 League and 2015 J.League Cup. In 2019, following a three-year spell with Emirati club Al Ain, with whom he reached the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup Final, Caio signed a four-year contract with Portuguese club Benfica. On 23 January 2020, Sharjah signed Caio Lucas from Benfica on loan for 18 months.
Born in Brazil, Caio Lucas became a naturalized Emirati and was called up to the United Arab Emirates national team for the first time by manager Paulo Bento in March 2025 for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He made his debut for the UAE in a 2–0 loss to Iran on 20 March.
- Club
- Kashima Antlers (2014–)
- National team
- Brazil
Legacy
Kashima Antlers
J1 League: 2016 J.League Cup: 2015 Al Ain
UAE Pro League: 2017–18 UAE President's Cup: 2017–18 FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2018 Sharjah
UAE President's Cup: 2021–22, 2022–23 UAE League Cup: 2022–23 UAE Super Cup: 2022, 2025 AFC Champions League Two: 2024–25 Qatar-UAE Super Cup: 2026 Individual
J.League Rookie of the Year: 2014 FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball: 2018 AFC Champions League Two Most Valuable Player: 2024–25
Clubs
Played together with
- Akihiro SatoKashima Antlers · 2010–2010
- Akihiro SatoKashima Antlers · 2011–2015
- Akira NarahashiKashima Antlers · 1997–2006
Alcindo SartoriKashima Antlers · 1993–1994- Alex Antônio de Melo SantosKashima Antlers · 2011–2012
- Alex MineiroKashima Antlers · 2005–2006
- Arivaldo Alves dos SantosKashima Antlers · 2005–2005
- Atsushi YanagisawaKashima Antlers · 1996–2003
- Atsushi YanagisawaKashima Antlers · 2006–2007
- Atsutaka NakamuraKashima Antlers · 2013
Atsuto UchidaKashima Antlers · 2006–2010- Augusto CésarKashima Antlers · 2001–2002
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Caio Lucas Fernandes, known as Caio Lucas or just Caio, is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for UAE Pro League club Sharjah. Born in Brazil, he represents the United Arab Emirates at international level.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…