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SpielerJuly 24, 2026

In the footsteps of Wamberto: Marcos Leonardo is the eleventh

Marcos Leonardo is the eleventh Brazilian to join Ajax. With his signing, the Brazilian presence in Amsterdam continues to grow.

In the footsteps of Wamberto: Marcos Leonardo is the eleventh

In Wamberto's footsteps: Marcos Leonardo is the eleventh

According to Vi.

Background

Marcos Leonardo, a 20-year-old striker, arrives from Al-Hilal and is the latest Brazilian player to sign for Ajax. His arrival expands the Brazilian enclave at the club and continues the tradition of promoting talented players from Brazil in the Eredivisie. Expectations for him are high, especially considering the success of previous Brazilian players such as Wamberto and Maxwell.

Why this is important

The signing of Marcos Leonardo as Ajax's eleventh Brazilian underlines the club's ongoing tradition of signing talented players from Brazil. This Brazilian presence not only enriched the team but also increased interest in Eredivisie football worldwide. The history of Brazilian players at Ajax, starting with Márcio Santos in the 1990s, shows the close connection between the club and Brazil.

Key findings

  • In the footsteps of Wamberto: Marcos Leonardo is the eleventh.
  • Marcos Leonardo is the eleventh Brazilian to join Ajax.
  • In the voices of Wamberto: Marcos Leonardo is the Brazilian eleven at Ajax.
With the signing of Marcos Leonardo, the Brazilian enclave at Ajax Amsterdam has expanded to a trio. The 20-year-old striker, who was previously under contract with Al-Hilal, is the eleventh Brazilian player to wear the capital city's jersey. This shows the club's long tradition of signing talented players from Brazil who shine in the Eredivisie. The story of the Brazilian players at Ajax begins in the 1990s, when defender Márcio Santos found his way to Amsterdam. Santos only played 25 games during his time at Ajax but left a lasting impression. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, other Brazilian players emerged, including Wamberto and Maxwell, who each played 156 games for the club. Another Brazilian player, Filipe Luís, was signed but was never able to make a name for the first team. Image After the departure of Maxwell in 2006 and Leonardo in 2009, it took over a decade for the next Brazilian to play for Ajax again. David Neres and Antony came in to fill the void and both put in impressive performances. Danilo, another Brazilian, lasted 20 games at the Johan Cruijff Arena before he also left the club in 2022. Another player, Kerlon, was also under contract but never made a first-team appearance. The return of Brazilian players to Ajax finally began in February 2025 with goalkeeper Matheus. After his departure, Lucas Rosa was the only Brazilian who remained in the squad until the 2025 summer transfers brought with them two new country teammates. Caio Henrique joined the club earlier this month and now Marcos Leonardo will complete the trio. Signing Marcos Leonardo could prove to be strategically smart, especially as Ajax continue to look for talented players to strengthen the team. With his youth and potential, he could play an important role in the club's future. Fans are curious to see how the Brazilian presence will affect Ajax's performances and whether Leonardo will be able to establish himself in the traditional team.

What happens next

With Marcos Leonardo, Ajax are expected to strengthen their attacking options and increase competition in the Eredivisie. Fans will be excited to see how the young striker follows in the footsteps of Wamberto and Maxwell, who have both made significant contributions to the club. It remains to be seen how quickly Leonardo integrates into the team and shows his skills on the pitch.

Frequently asked questions

What happened to the signing of Marcos Leonardo?

Marcos Leonardo was signed by Ajax Amsterdam and is the club's eleventh Brazilian player.

Who confirmed the signing of Marcos Leonardo?

The signing of Marcos Leonardo was announced through the official announcement from Ajax Amsterdam.

Why now?

The return of Brazilian players to Ajax continued with the signing of Marcos Leonardo, continuing the club's tradition to continue.

What changes will Marcos Leonardo bring to Ajax?

Marcos Leonardo expands Ajax's Brazilian enclave to a trio, highlighting the club's ongoing strategy of signing talented Brazilian players.

How many Brazilian players has Ajax signed in total?

Ajax has signed a total of eleven Brazilian players, starting in the 1990s.

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

What happened to the signing of Marcos Leonardo?
Marcos Leonardo was signed by Ajax Amsterdam and is the club's eleventh Brazilian player.
Who confirmed the signing of Marcos Leonardo?
The signing of Marcos Leonardo was announced through the official announcement from Ajax Amsterdam.
Why now?
The return of Brazilian players to Ajax continued with the signing of Marcos Leonardo to continue the club's tradition.
What changes does Marcos Leonardo bring to Ajax?
Marcos Leonardo expands Ajax's Brazilian enclave to a trio, highlighting the club's ongoing strategy of signing talented Brazilian players.
How many Brazilian players have Ajax signed in total?
Ajax has signed a total of eleven Brazilian players, starting in the 1990s.
What happened in this story?
In the footsteps of Wamberto: Marcos Leonardo is the eleventh summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.