Brenner

Brenner Souza da Silva (born 16 January 2000), more commonly known as Brenner, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Vasco da Gama.

Club career São Paulo Born in Cuiabá, Brenner joined the youth academy at São Paulo in 2011. Prior to the 2017 season, Brenner was called into the club's first team by coach Dorival Júnior. Brenner then scored his first professional goal on 3 December 2017, scoring the opening goal in a 1–1 draw against Bahia. He finished his first season, scoring just once in four matches. The next season, Brenner scored one goal in nine matches in the Campeonato Paulista and scored a goal in six matches in Série A, finding himself mainly used as an option off the bench. He stated that working with then head coach Fernando Diniz "weighed heavily" on his choice to move to the club. He returned to São Paulo after the season ended, appearing in just six matches without scoring a goal. Brenner credited Diniz for encouraging him to return to the club and believing in him despite not finding regular minutes for São Paulo or Fluminense up to that point. He then scored his first goal of the season in their 1–1 draw against Novorizontino, scoring the equalizer in the 86th minute. In March 2020, the season was paused in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, Brenner continued to be used sparingly, unable to breakthrough for São Paulo against first choice forwards, Alexandre Pato and Pablo.

On 26 July 2020, São Paulo made their return to the pitch, with Brenner starting in the 3–1 victory over Guarani. In August, following the departure of Pato, Brenner began finding more chances in Fernando Diniz's team. He then scored the equalizer for São Paulo in their 3–1 home victory over Brenner's former club Fluminense on 6 September 2020. On 17 September 2020, Brenner made his debut in the Copa Libertadores against River Plate, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 draw. In the following match, on 22 September, he scored his first goal in the competition against Ecuadorian side L.D.U. Quito, scoring in the 60th minute of a 4–2 away defeat.

In October, Brenner broke-through as a starter for São Paulo after original starter, Pablo, scored just one goal from 10 matches. On 7 October 2020, Brenner scored a brace in the club's 3–0 Série A victory over Goianiense before scoring another brace on 14 October in the Copa do Brasil against Fortaleza, drawing 3–3. He continued his amazing scoring run between 20 October and 1 November, scoring in four straight matches, including two braces against Fortaleza in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil and against Argentine club Lanús in the Copa Sudamericana.

On 11 November 2020, Brenner scored a brace against Flamengo, becoming São Paulo's top goalscorer in a season since 2015 with 17 goals in 26 matches at that point. On 3 December, after going four matches without a goal, Brenner scored the second in a 3–0 victory over Goiás, a key result in the Série A title race. After a brace against Botafogo on 9 December and Fluminense on 26 December, Brenner helped São Paulo enter 2021 at the top of the table, seven points ahead of second placed Atlético Mineiro. Unfortunately, in January 2021, Brenner was unable to find the back of the net in six matches, as São Paulo lost four and drew two matches, pushing the club down to fourth in the table. Fernando Diniz would soon be removed as head coach on 1 February 2021.

When Brenner signed with FC Cincinnati, he finished the 2020 season with 22 goals in 44 appearances.

FC Cincinnati On 5 February 2021, São Paulo agreed to transfer Brenner to Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati (FCC). The move was officially announced by FCC on 9 February, with Brenner joining the club as a young designated player for an incoming transfer fee of $13 million, the fourth highest in MLS history.

Brenner made his debut in FCC's opening match away at Nashville SC on 17 April 2021, scoring the team's second goal from the penalty spot in the 12th minute of a 2–2 draw. On 17 July, Brenner scored his first goals from open play, netting a brace in his side's 5–4 away defeat to CF Montréal.

By 2022, for reasons publicly undisclosed, Brenner had become unhappy at Cincinnati and requested a transfer. His request was not met and he remained with FCC for the duration of the 2022 season, leading the team with 18 goals, including 3 hat-tricks, and helping them secure their first ever playoff berth. Brenner still wanted out, however, and reiterated his transfer request in early 2023.

Udinese Calcio On 26 April 2023, Brenner was transferred for $10 million to Serie A side Udinese and signed a 5-year contract that will see him with the Italian side through to the 2027–28 season. He remained with Cincinnati until the European summer transfer window opened in July. His final MLS game was on July 1 at home against the New England Revolution.

Due to a hamstring injury, Brenner missed part of his first season with the club. He made his debut for Udinese on 27 January 2024 against Atalanta BC, Udinese losing 2–0.

On 22 August 2025, Brenner was loaned back to FC Cincinnati until the end of the season, with an option to buy. On 15 December, FC Cincinnati announced that Brenner would return to his parent club.

Vasco da Gama On January 30, 2026, Brenner joined Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Vasco da Gama for €5 million on a three-year contract. In a match valid for the 5th round of the Campeonato Carioca, Vasco hosted Madureira at São Januário Stadium and drew 0-0 on February 2, 2026. The game marked Brenner's debut for the Gigante da Colina. Brenner finally broke his drought, finding the back of the net at São Januário for the first time four minutes into the second half. The goal took place in Vasco's 2–0 victory over Botafogo, in the final round of the Campeonato Carioca group stage.

International career In February 2017, Brenner was included by coach Carlos Amadeu in the Brazil under-17 team for the South American U-17 Championship. On 4 March, he scored the opener in Brazil's 2–0 victory over Argentina. In September 2017, Brenner was included in the Brazil squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. He scored in Brazil's final group stage match against Niger, his 34th-minute goal helping Brazil win 2–0. In the Round of 16, Brenner scored a brace against Honduras as Brazil won 3–0.

Career statistics

2019 Série A

2020 Série A

Fluminense (loan) 2019 Série A

2021 MLS

2022 MLS

2023 MLS

2023–24 Serie A

2024–25 Serie A

FC Cincinnati (loan) 2025 MLS

Vasco da Gama 2026 Série A 13 1 5 1 2 0 4 1

24 3

Honours Brazil U17 South American U-17 Championship: 2017