Luca Meirelles

Luca Oliveira Meirelles is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian Premier League. Born on 15 March 2007 in Goiânia, he came through the famed Santos FC academy before making a €12 million move to Europe in August 2025. At 19, he has already scored in European competition and earned a call-up to the Brazil U20 national team.

Meirelles is known for his pace, finishing, and physical presence, standing 1.85 metres tall. He wears the number 49 shirt for Shakhtar and has quickly become a promising figure in the club's attack. His early senior career has been marked by a goal in his UEFA Conference League debut and a solid first season in Ukraine, where he netted six league goals. He is regarded as one of the emerging talents in Brazilian football's new export wave. [edit]

Luca Oliveira Meirelles was born in Goiânia, the capital of Brazil's central Goiás state. Details of his childhood remain largely private, but his football journey began in the youth ranks of Santos FC, one of Brazil's most storied clubs, famous for producing Pelé, Robinho, and Neymar. His development at Santos positioned him as one of the club's most promising young strikers.

During his youth career, Meirelles built a reputation as a prolific goal scorer. Scouting videos and highlight compilations on platforms like YouTube described him as a "young goal machine," a label that attracted attention from European clubs tracking Brazilian talent. His performances at youth level, combined with his physical attributes, made him a standout prospect.

By 2024, his goal-scoring exploits had put him on the radar of clubs across Europe. His agent, Bertolucci Sports, helped manage his rising profile, and by mid-2025, Shakhtar Donetsk had moved to secure his signature, completing a transfer that would take him from Brazil's youth setup to the Ukrainian Premier League. [edit]

In August 2025, Meirelles transferred from Santos to Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported €12 million, signing a five-year contract that runs until summer 2030. He made an immediate impact in the UEFA Conference League, scoring in Shakhtar's 2-0 away victory over Hamrun Spartans on 30 August 2025, opening the scoring in the 61st minute.

His debut season in the Ukrainian Premier League saw him record six goals and two assists in 843 minutes of play, a rate of roughly a goal every 140 minutes. He also featured in the Ukrainian Cup, including a clash with Dynamo Kyiv in October 2025, after which he commented that Shakhtar "deserved the victory more."

In March 2026, Meirelles earned a call-up to the Brazil U20 national team, expressing optimism about the new cycle. He continued with Shakhtar into the Conference League knockout stages, facing Crystal Palace in April 2026. As of mid-2026, his market value is estimated at €10 million, and he remains a key part of Shakhtar's first-team squad as they defend their league title. [edit]

Meirelles is characterized as a pacey, physical centre-forward with a keen eye for goal. At 1.85 metres, he uses his height and strength to hold up play and finish chances. Scouting content has highlighted his goal-scoring instincts, with some describing him as a "young goal machine."

Media coverage of Meirelles has been positive and professional. After the Dynamo Kyiv cup match, he offered a measured, team-focused assessment, and his comments on the Brazil U20 cycle reflect a grounded, opportunity-focused mindset. His social media voice is modest and professional, with content centered on his football career.

Shakhtar Donetsk's established fan base provides his current supporter environment, though no dedicated fandom name or organized fan culture has yet developed around him, given his recent emergence. [edit]

Luca Meirelles operates within the global spotlight as a rising professional footballer, though his current standing reflects the trajectory of an emerging talent rather than established celebrity status. As of August 2026, iFANN has evaluated his profile and determined that he does not currently hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope lists. This evaluation places him outside the ranked strata of the world's most famous individuals at this specific moment, a neutral position for a player still building his legacy on the pitch. His public recognition remains tethered to his athletic output with Shakhtar Donetsk and the Brazil U20 squad rather than a distinct cultural footprint. Regarding his audience, there is no documented formal name for his fanbase, nor are there organized groups that identify themselves under a specific moniker. The available data indicates that his following consists primarily of casual supporters of his clubs and national team rather than a dedicated movement with campaigns or rituals. While he maintains a social media presence with approximately 57,000 followers, no evidence exists of fan-funded projects, viral chart movements, or iconic moments that have transcended standard sports reporting to become folklore. His career milestones, such as his transfer from Santos and his goal in the UEFA Conference League, are recorded as sporting achievements without the accompanying mythos often found among global superstars.[edit]

While most sources list 15 March 2007 as his birthdate, FotMob records 14 March 2007, a minor discrepancy likely due to time-zone differences in record-keeping. He scored in his first ever UEFA Conference League appearance, finding the net in the 61st minute against Hamrun Spartans. He follows in the footsteps of legendary Santos forwards Pelé, Robinho, and Neymar, though his €12 million transfer to Shakhtar came at a younger age than many Brazilian exports. His Instagram bio references "@brunomartinsports," likely his agent Bruno Martin, with the caption "trust him, and he everything will do" (sic). He is represented by Bertolucci Sports, an agency verified by Transfermarkt. His five-year contract with Shakhtar runs until summer 2030, indicating the club's long-term investment in his development. In April 2026, Meirelles scored a goal in the 83rd minute during the UEFA Conference League quarter-final second leg against AZ Alkmaar, helping secure a 5-2 aggregate victory. By March 2026, he had already secured a place in the Brazil U20 squad, signaling his rapid ascent through the youth ranks. His market value reached €10.00m by June 2026, reflecting the growing confidence in his potential.[edit]

Public information about Luca Meirelles' family is scarce. He was born in Goiânia, Brazil, but no details about his parents or siblings have been shared publicly. His Instagram presence, with 55 posts, offers little insight into his personal life, focusing instead on football and professional relationships.

As of 2026, Meirelles is single and has no known children. He lives in Ukraine, where he is based with Shakhtar Donetsk, though he maintains ties to his native Brazil. His management is handled by Bertolucci Sports, and his Instagram bio suggests a close professional relationship with Bruno Martin, likely his agent. [edit]

Meirelles is associated with Bertolucci Sports, his representation agency, and Bruno Martin, who is referenced in his Instagram bio and likely serves as his agent. At Shakhtar, he plays alongside teammates such as Isaque, Valeriy Bondar, Vinicius Tobias, and Pedro Henrique. [edit]

As of 2026, there is no publicly documented dating history or confirmed romantic partner for Luca Meirelles. At 19 years old and having only recently emerged on the European football scene in August 2025, he has kept his personal life private. His social media presence, with 55 posts on Instagram, does not indicate any public romantic involvement. He is reportedly single as of 2026. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Luca Meirelles' net worth is estimated at $2 Million as of 2026. This figure is primarily derived from his salary at Shakhtar Donetsk, which for young Brazilian players in the Ukrainian Premier League typically ranges between €500,000 and €1.5 million per year. Since joining in August 2025, he has accumulated roughly a year and a half of wages. His transfer fee of €12 million was paid to Santos, not to the player, so it does not directly contribute to his personal wealth. He has not yet signed major endorsement deals, and his Instagram following of around 57,000 is modest by footballer standards, limiting sponsorship income. As his career progresses and he gains more exposure, his earning potential is likely to grow, but for now, his net worth remains modest relative to more established stars.[edit]

As of 2026, Luca Meirelles has not yet received major individual awards. His primary team honour is the Ukrainian Premier League title with Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2025/26 season, though individual accolades are still anticipated as his career develops. [edit]