Ronaldo Vieira

Early career

Vieira was raised in Portugal, where he signed for the academy at S.L. Benfica, the club he supported. He left Portugal in 2011 in search of more job opportunities for his family in England. Vieira began playing football in England when local coach Mark Bryden asked him to sign for Whitley Bay Boys Club, a local team near Newcastle. Vieira then moved to Yorkshire and played two seasons in the Huddersfield Junior Football League for Batley Phoenix under the tutelage of coach Tony Shuttleworth. Vieira also had unsuccessful trials at Premier League sides Manchester City and Hull City. Vieira then signed for York-based i2i Football Academy under the coaching of Nelly (head coach at i2i) whilst studying at York College. He joined Leeds United on trial in September 2015, after being recommended by his York College and i2i teammate's father, Mark Hamilton. Vieira was due to sign for York City until he was recommended by Mark Hamilton, who is a long time friend of the head of recruitment at Leeds, Terry Potter. Vieira signed for the academy after impressing

Leeds United

After impressing for the academy, Vieira signed a two-year professional deal with Leeds on 5 May 2016. Highly rated by then Head Coach Steve Evans, Vieira was named on the bench for Leeds on 7 May 2016 against Preston North End, and made his debut in the same game coming on as a substitute for Stuart Dallas in a 1–1 draw.

2016–17 season

Vieira became a regular starter for…

Vieira is eligible to represent Guinea-Bissau, Portugal or England having been educated in the country for five years before the age of 18. On 28 January 2017, when asked whom he would like to represent, Vieira said that his first choice would be to play for the Portugal national side, however he was open to the idea of playing for England. On 16 May 2017, Vieira was called up to the England U20 squad for the 2017 Toulon Tournament. Vieira was a regular starter in the tournament, he also played a key role for England on 10 June when he scored the winning penalty in the final against Ivory Coast U20s which saw England U20s crowned the 2017 Toulon Tournament Champions after winning 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. After his England U20 call-up, Vieira told the Yorkshire Evening Post in July 2017 that he had changed his preference from playing for Portugal because he had been living in England for a long time, and following discussions with family members who live in Portugal. He said that 'the decision was mine so I picked England'. Vieira received his first call up to England U21s on 21 May 2018 for the Toulon Tournament with England's group containing fixtures against Qatar U21s, China U21s and Mexico U21s. On 1 June, Vieira scored on his England U21s debut with a long range strike against Qatar U21s in a 4–0 victory. On 9 June 2018, Vieira started in the 2018 Toulon Tournament final against Mexico U21s with England winning the tournament after beating Mexico 2–1 in the…

As of match played 6 April 2025

Vieira moved to Portugal at the age of five, shortly after the death of his father. Ronaldo Vieira and his twin brother Romario were named after Brazil footballers, Ronaldo and Romário. Romario is also a footballer and joined his brother at Leeds United on 1 September 2016. He went to high school at Primrose High School (now Co-operative Academy Leeds). Ronaldo's brother Romario Vieira represents the Guinea Bissau national side.