Wendell Nascimento Borges

Early career

Born in Fortaleza, Ceará, Wendell grew up in Camaçari near Salvador, Bahia. At age 14, he began his career at Iraty in Paraná. Remaining in the same state, he played for Londrina and Paraná Clube, the latter on loan in 2012 for the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B season. During Wendell's time at Londrina, he gained 4 kg in weight to supplement his light frame, and trained to improve his marking. He almost gave up his career after his father suffered a stroke in 2010, but was advised to continue by his mother. In June 2013, having been voted the best of his position in the Campeonato Paranaense, Wendell was loaned to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Grêmio for the rest of the calendar year. He made his top-flight debut on 11 September as a starter in a 2–0 win at Náutico, due to Alex Telles's injury, and totalled nine appearances as the club from Porto Alegre finished runners-up and qualified for the Copa Libertadores. After Telles was sold to Galatasaray, Grêmio signed Wendell to a permanent four-year contract, obtaining 65% of his economic rights. On 2 February 2014, he scored his only goal for the club as an equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Juventude in the Campeonato Gaúcho, as his team finished runners-up.

Bayer Leverkusen

On 27 February 2014, Wendell signed a five-year deal at Bayer 04 Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga, effective from July. He had been recommended to make the transfer by his Grêmio teammate Zé Roberto, who had spent several…

Wendell got his first call-up to the senior Brazil side for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela in October 2016, replacing Marcelo. He did not make his debut until 23 March 2024, when he played in a 1–0 friendly win over England at Wembley Stadium. Wendell was called up for the 2024 Copa América in the United States. In the opening goalless draw against Costa Rica, Guilherme Arana played at left back, with Wendell replacing him for a win over Paraguay and draw with Colombia. Arana returned for the quarter-final penalty shootout loss to Uruguay.

Club

As of match played 24 August 2024

International

As of match played 6 September 2024

Londrina

Campeonato Paranaense do Interior: 2013 Porto

Primeira Liga: 2021–22 Taça de Portugal: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2022 Taça da Liga: 2022–23 Brazil U20

Toulon Tournament: 2014 Individual

Best Campeonato Paranaense full-back: 2013 Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2017–18