Hubbry Logo
Matheus DonelliMatheus DonelliMain
Open search
Matheus Donelli
Community hub
Matheus Donelli
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Matheus Donelli
Matheus Donelli
from Wikipedia

Matheus Planelles Donelli (born 17 May 2002) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Corinthians.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Matheus Donelli was born in São Paulo. He started his career in the youth categories of Corinthians in 2010, playing futsal. He later transitioned to football and joined the under-15 and under-17 teams.[1] After the 2019 season, he was included in the squad for the following year's Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, where he reached the semifinals.[2]

Club career

[edit]

In July 2020, with the return of training after the COVID-19 pandemic, he was promoted to the professional squad by Tiago Nunes. Soon after, his contract was renewed until the end of 2024.[3]

He made his debut for Corinthians on 3 March 2021, in a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras, at the Neo Química Arena, in the 2021 Campeonato Paulista.[4]

International career

[edit]

Under-17

[edit]

In 2019, he was champion of the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he also won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.[5]

Under-23

[edit]

On 22 September 2023, he was called up to the Brazilian Under-23 team to compete in the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.[6] On 4 November, he won the gold medal after the Brazilian team defeated Chile on penalties 4-2.[7][8] On 21 December, he was called up to compete in the 2024 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.[9]

Honours

[edit]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of 19 April 2025[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Corinthians 2021 Série A 1 0 3[a] 0 0 0 1[b] 0 5 0
2022 3 0 2[a] 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
2025 5 0 4 0 0 0 2 0 11 0
Career total 16 0 9 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 28 0
  1. ^ a b Appearances in the Campeonato Paulista
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Matheus Planelles Donelli (born 17 May 2002) is a Brazilian-Italian professional footballer who plays as a for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista in the . A product of Corinthians' youth academy, he holds dual citizenship and has made 16 appearances for the senior team since his debut in 2021, primarily serving as a backup option. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Donelli began his football development entirely within Corinthians' youth system, starting at age eight and initially focusing on futsal before transitioning to the 11-a-side format. He progressed through the club's base categories at the Pacaembu training ground, earning recognition as a promising talent and the affection of senior goalkeeper Cássio. Internationally, Donelli represented at youth levels, most notably as the starting goalkeeper at the in , where he played all seven matches, kept three clean sheets, and won the Golden Glove award as the tournament's best goalkeeper en route to 's title victory. Donelli signed his first professional contract with Corinthians in 2021, making his senior debut on 3 March 2021 in a Campeonato Paulista match against Palmeiras at age 18. Over the following years, opportunities were limited due to established keepers like Cássio and Hugo Souza, resulting in sporadic appearances: one in 2021, three in 2022, seven in 2024, and five in the 2025 Série A season as of November, during which he conceded 24 goals across domestic leagues while securing two clean sheets. His contract was extended multiple times, most recently in June 2024 to run until 30 June 2028, under the representation of Gestifute agency led by Jorge Mendes. As of late 2025, Donelli has become the third-choice goalkeeper amid competition and is reportedly considering his future beyond the current campaign. Standing at 1.87 meters (6 ft 2 in) and right-footed, he is valued at approximately €1.5 million and wears kit number 32 for Corinthians.

Early life

Family background and upbringing

Matheus Planelles Donelli was born on 17 May 2002 in , , to parents of Brazilian and Italian descent, which has afforded him dual citizenship and an . His family background reflects Italian heritage through his surname and eligibility for European documentation, facilitating potential international opportunities later in his career. Donelli grew up in São Paulo amid humble roots, earning the affectionate nickname "filho do terrão," a term highlighting his grassroots origins within the city's vibrant football culture. His family provided unwavering support for his early interests, with his father, Eduardo Donelli, a passionate Corinthians supporter who frequently attended matches and even tattooed a memento of his son's professional milestone on his arm. His mother, Silvia, expressed pride in his resilience while experiencing the anxiety typical of a parent's view from the stands, particularly given the demands of his position as a goalkeeper. Donelli is the eldest of two siblings, maintaining a close relationship with his younger sister, who has been a constant source of encouragement since his childhood. During his childhood in , Donelli balanced local schooling with emerging athletic pursuits, influenced by the community's deep-rooted passion for football. At age 8, he began structured football training, marking the start of a more formalized path shaped by familial encouragement and neighborhood inspirations.

Introduction to football

Matheus Donelli was introduced to football during his early childhood in , where his family's longstanding passion for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista played a pivotal role in shaping his interest in the sport. Born on May 17, 2002, into a household influenced by his father and grandfather—both devoted Corinthians supporters—Donelli grew up immersed in the club's culture, attending matches at the from a very young age. This familial encouragement fostered an innate love for football, with Donelli recalling that his affinity for the team "began when I was born," highlighting how the sport became a central part of his upbringing. From a tender age, Donelli displayed a clear determination to pursue , drawing inspiration from Corinthians' iconic Cássio, whom he idolized intensely during his formative years. Childhood photos capture moments of Donelli meeting Cássio at the club's training center (CT), underscoring his early connection to professional football environments and his unwavering resolve to emulate such figures. As he reflected, these experiences reminded him of "how young I was, but already had a lot of certainty of what I wanted to be," marking the inception of his focused aspiration within the sport. This foundational exposure through family and personal admiration propelled Donelli toward organized youth football, culminating in his entry into Corinthians' academy in 2010 at age eight, where he began honing basic goalkeeping fundamentals via before transitioning to field play.

Club career

Youth career at Corinthians

Matheus Donelli joined the Corinthians youth academy in 2010 at the age of eight, initially competing in the club's program. He progressed through the system by transitioning to field football, where he featured prominently for the under-15 and under-17 squads, honing his skills as a . In 2020, at age 18, Donelli advanced to the under-20 team, participating in the Copa São Paulo de Juniores and establishing himself as a key figure in the category. His development within the academy was marked by consistent performances that highlighted his potential, including standout showings in youth competitions that contributed to his internal promotions. Standing at 1.87 meters, Donelli benefited from the academy's structured environment, which emphasized technical proficiency and physical preparation suited to elite-level goalkeeping demands. Donelli's youth tenure culminated in his promotion to squad in 2020, becoming the fourth-choice goalkeeper behind Cássio, Walter, and , all without departing the club. This seamless elevation underscored his rapid ascent through Corinthians' ranks, positioning him for professional opportunities.

Senior debut and breakthrough

Donelli made his senior debut for Corinthians on 3 March 2021, starting in a 2–2 draw against rivals Palmeiras in the at the Neo Química Arena. At the age of 18 years, nine months, and 14 days, he became the youngest to feature for the club in 46 years, a milestone last achieved by Élio in 1975. The opportunity arose after first-choice Cássio and backup tested positive for , forcing coach to promote the teenager from the youth ranks. As the third-choice goalkeeper behind Cássio and , Donelli saw limited action in 2021, appearing in five matches across competitions. These included three in the (against Palmeiras, Ponte Preta, and Ituano) and one each in the and Série A. Among these, he recorded two clean sheets. Donelli's breakthrough came in 2022, as he integrated more fully into the senior squad with increased opportunities, particularly in the where he started two matches (a 1–0 loss to Santo André on 30 January and a 2–1 win over Santos on 2 February). He also made three Série A appearances, including full 90-minute outings against Palmeiras (0–3 loss on 23 April) and (1–3 loss on 16 July), plus a brief substitute role against (1–1 draw on 22 May). These games highlighted his growing reliability, with key saves in state league fixtures contributing to his establishment as a dependable squad option amid rotations and injuries to senior keepers. By the end of 2022, his total of five appearances that year marked a step forward from his debut season, building confidence for future roles.

Recent seasons and contract extensions

In the 2023 season, Donelli had no first-team appearances for Corinthians, remaining primarily as a reserve behind established starters. His opportunities began to increase in 2024, where he featured in seven matches in the , serving as a option and gaining valuable senior experience without recording any clean sheets. Donelli's role expanded further in 2025, with 11 appearances across multiple competitions, including five in Série A, four in the , and two in the . He contributed to Corinthians' successful campaign, which culminated in a 1-0 aggregate victory over Palmeiras in the final on March 28, 2025, securing the club's 31st state title; during the tournament, Donelli started all four matches. Overall in 2025, he kept one clean sheet while conceding nine goals, demonstrating growing reliability as a rotational option amid competition from goalkeepers like . Reflecting the club's confidence in his development, Donelli's contract was extended on June 17, 2024, binding him to Corinthians until June 30, 2028, following an initial renewal to the end of 2024. However, later in the 2025 season, he faced increased competition, dropping to fourth-choice by October and prompting discussions, though he returned to the matchday squad in mid-October after a four-month absence from selections. As of November 2025, Donelli serves as the third-choice and is reportedly evaluating options for his future after the season. No major injuries were reported during this period.

International career

Under-17 level

Matheus Donelli received his first call-up to the under-17 national team in 2019, ahead of the hosted in , where he ultimately earned 7 caps. His selection was bolstered by his standout performances in Corinthians' youth academy, which had honed his skills as a reliable . As the starting goalkeeper for Brazil at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Donelli featured in all seven matches of the tournament, logging 630 minutes and conceding just six goals while securing three clean sheets. Brazil topped their group with victories over Canada (4–1), New Zealand (3–0), and Angola (2–0), advancing confidently to the knockout stages. In the knockout rounds, Donelli's command of the penalty area proved crucial. Brazil defeated Chile 3–2 in the round of 16, kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 quarter-final win over South Korea, and overcame France 3–2 in the semi-final. These efforts culminated in the final against Mexico on November 17, 2019, where Brazil staged a 2-1 comeback victory at Estádio Bezerrão in Brasília; despite Mexico taking the lead via a header from Bryan González in the 66th minute, Donelli's composure helped limit further damage until late goals from Gabriel Veron and Lázaro sealed the win. Donelli's tournament-leading performance earned him the adidas Golden Glove award as the best of the , recognizing his 13 saves and overall shot-stopping excellence that contributed to 's fourth title in the competition.

Under-23 level

Matheus Donelli received his first call-up to the Brazil under-23 national team on 22 September 2023, when he was named as one of three in the squad for the in Santiago, . As the third-choice behind Mycael Pontes and Andrew, Donelli did not feature in any of Brazil's six matches during the , but he contributed to the team's successful campaign by being part of the group that secured the gold medal with a 4-2 victory over in the final on 4 2023. This selection marked a significant step in his international progression, building on the confidence gained from his standout performances at the under-17 level a few years earlier. In December 2023, Donelli earned another call-up to the under-23 side for the in , again as one of three goalkeepers alongside and Kaique. He made his debut for the team on 1 2024, starting in for 's final group stage match against , a 1-3 defeat where he played the full 90 minutes. Despite the loss, which came against a rotated lineup already qualified for the final stage, Donelli made notable saves, including a key stop early in the second half, though the team conceded three goals overall in the encounter. He remained with the squad for the subsequent final quadrangular but did not feature in any further matches as finished fourth and failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. As of November 2025, Donelli has accumulated one at the under-23 level, with no additional call-ups reported since the Pre-Olympic Tournament. His limited but promising exposure at this age group underscores his ongoing development as a transitioning toward potential senior international opportunities.

Playing style

Strengths and weaknesses

Matheus Donelli, standing at 1.87 meters tall, demonstrates strong command of the , leveraging his height to effectively dominate aerial challenges and crosses during matches. His shot-stopping reflexes are evident, with a save of 73.7% in the 2025 Série A season across five appearances for Corinthians. Additionally, Donelli's right-footed distribution shows accuracy in short-range passes, with a launch of 25.8% indicating a preference for playing the ball short to build from the back. Despite these attributes, Donelli exhibits weaknesses in long passing, rated as very weak, which can limit his ability to initiate quick transitions from deep positions. He also struggles with saving long shots, a noted deficiency that has contributed to occasional vulnerabilities against distant efforts. His limited experience in high-stakes matches, with only 19 senior appearances across all competitions as of November 2025, has led to some inconsistency in performance under pressure. Physically, Donelli maintains suitable for his frame, allowing quick reactions despite his stature, and has shown resilience to injuries throughout his and early senior career, missing minimal games due to fitness issues. Statistically, his clean sheet rate stands at 20.0% in 2025 Série A, reflecting one in five games, while overall career clean sheets number three across all competitions.

Comparisons and development

Matheus Donelli's style has developed through focused training at Corinthians, emphasizing aerial presence and reflexes honed from his background and international youth exposure. By 2025, at age 23, he has shown maturation as a reliable backup with leadership qualities, such as captaining the team in early 2025 matches. In terms of comparisons, Donelli shares agency representation with , which manages other prominent goalkeepers like , highlighting a network that emphasizes technical proficiency and distribution skills akin to those valued in modern Brazilian keepers. Observers note parallels in his grit and potential to youth peers who have progressed through similar academy paths, though his style draws contrasts to more experienced domestic rivals like , who recorded a 75.3% save rate in the 2025 Série A season. Training influences at Corinthians have focused on building his aerial presence and reflexes through academy coaching, supplemented by international exposure that refined his command in youth tournaments. Assistant coach has praised this progression, emphasizing Donelli's resilience despite early-season errors and positioning him as the club's long-term successor in goal. Looking ahead post-2025, Donelli's trajectory suggests potential for a first-choice role at Corinthians, though recent performances have sparked discussions about his immediate future amid team rotations.

Honours

Club honours

Matheus Donelli won his first major club honour with Corinthians in the 2025 , where the team defeated rivals Palmeiras 1–0 on aggregate in the final (1–0 first leg and 0–0 second leg). As a backup behind , Donelli featured in four matches during the , accumulating 360 minutes played and contributing to the team's defensive efforts with clean sheets in key group stage fixtures. His appearances helped maintain solidity in the backline during Corinthians' run to the title, particularly in rotations that preserved the primary goalkeeper's fitness for the rounds. As of November 2025, this remains Donelli's only major club honour, limited by his role as a reserve option amid Corinthians' competitive depth in goal.

International honours

Matheus Donelli achieved significant success at the youth international level with , most notably as the starting goalkeeper for the U-17 team that won the hosted in . He featured in all seven matches of the tournament, playing the full 630 minutes and contributing to three clean sheets en route to 's 2-1 extra time victory over in the final. This victory marked 's fourth U-17 title and highlighted Donelli's pivotal role in the team's defensive solidity. In 2023, Donelli was part of the U-23 squad that secured the gold medal at the in Santiago, . Selected as one of three goalkeepers, he made one appearance (45 minutes) during the tournament. His involvement underscored his growing reliability in high-stakes youth competitions. These international triumphs notably boosted Donelli's profile, accelerating his transition to senior opportunities at Corinthians, where he made his professional debut in 2021 shortly after the U-17 success. The exposure from these youth accolades helped establish him as a promising talent, paving the way for increased involvement in the club's first-team setup and subsequent contract developments.

Individual awards

Matheus Donelli earned the award as the best goalkeeper at the , recognizing his outstanding performances that included three clean sheets and key saves during Brazil's successful campaign as hosts. This accolade highlighted his pivotal role in the tournament, where he demonstrated exceptional shot-stopping and command of the . As of November 2025, Donelli has not received any major individual honors at the senior professional level with Corinthians or in international competitions.

Career statistics

Club appearances

Matheus Donelli has made 28 appearances for Corinthians across various competitions since his senior debut in 2021, conceding 38 goals while keeping 5 clean sheets, as of November 2025. His playing time totals 2,386 minutes, with one yellow card received in the 2025 Série A. The following table provides a season-by-season breakdown of his club appearances, focusing on key competitions:
SeasonCompetitionAppearancesGoals ConcededClean SheetsMinutes Played
2021Série A10190'
2021340270'
202110145'
2022Série A361181'
2022221180'
2024Série A7120630'
2025Série A561450'
2025450360'
2025230180'
Total283852,386'
Overall, Donelli has appeared 16 times in Série A (conceding 24 goals with 3 clean sheets), 9 times in the (11 goals conceded), and 3 times in continental competition (3 goals conceded). He recorded no appearances in 2023 and has not featured for Corinthians since April 2025.

International appearances

Matheus Donelli has accumulated 9 caps for Brazil's youth national teams, comprising 7 appearances at the under-17 level and 2 at the under-23 level, with no senior international appearances as of November 2025. His debut came during the , where he served as the primary for the champion Brazilian squad. He later represented the under-23 team in regional competitions, contributing to Brazil's gold medal at the . The following table summarizes his international appearances by tournament:
TournamentYearMatchesMinutesGoals Conceded
20197630'4
Pan American Games (U-23)2023145'0
(U-23)2024190'3
Total-9765'7

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.