Léo Baptistão

Early career

Born in Santos, São Paulo, Baptistão began playing football for Associação Atlética Portuguesa (Santos), alongside Neymar. Aged only 16, he moved to Spain and joined Rayo Vallecano's youth system. However, he soon contracted hepatitis and had to return home to be treated by his father, a doctor; subsequently, he was loaned to CD San Fernando de Henares after the Royal Spanish Football Federation prevented him from joining his previous club.

Rayo Vallecano

In July 2011, after playing his last year as a junior again with Rayo, Baptistão joined the first team for preseason games. However, in his debut, a Trophy of Vallecas match against Sporting de Gijón, he suffered a collarbone injury; his first appearances as a senior were made with the reserves in the Segunda División B. In the summer of 2012, Baptistão was recalled for Rayo's main squad for the preseason. On 25 August he finally made his first-team debut, starting in a 2–1 La Liga away win against Real Betis, assisting Piti on one goal and scoring the decider. On 16 September, he netted against Atlético Madrid but in a 4–3 away loss, adding a brace the following month at RCD Espanyol but again not being able to earn a single point. Baptistão quickly became first-choice in his first year with the Paco Jémez-led side. On 3 November 2012 he provided a further two assists for Piti in a 2–1 away victory over Málaga CF, scoring his fifth goal of the season the following matchday, a 3–2 home defeat…

As of match played 1 June 2025

Atlético Madrid

La Liga: 2013–14 Supercopa de España runner-up: 2013 UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2013–14