Dudu

Eduardo Pereira Rodrigues (born 7 January 1992), commonly known as Dudu, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Atlético Mineiro.

Career

Early career Dudu began his career in the youth side for Cruzeiro and earned on 14 June 2009 his first cap in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A against Palmeiras. On 27 April 2010, Coritiba signed the 18-year-old attacking midfielder on loan from Cruzeiro until December 2010.

Dudu returned to Cruzeiro for the 2011 season. On 25 June in the match against Coritiba Dudu, playing as a substitute, surprised the coach Joel Santana, who said: "Dudu entered really well in the match. He is such a bold boy, intelligent, he doesn't forget the instructions. He is audacious, even being a little guy. It proves that tallness isn't really important for football. Quality, ability and competence are. He showed he is such a competent player, in spite of his young age."

Dynamo Kyiv On 27 August 2011, it was announced on his team Cruzeiro's official homepage that Dudu would join Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv on a €5 million offer.

Grêmio On 11 February 2014, Dudu was loaned to Grêmio until the end of the Brazilian season, on 31 December 2014.

Palmeiras After almost being signed by Corinthians, on 11 January 2015 Dudu joined rival Palmeiras on a four-year contract. While being among the most important players in the squad, Dudu was also criticised by the fans due to his temperamental behavior on the pitch, which included being sent-off during the 2015 Campeonato Paulista finals after hitting the referee. He helped Palmeiras win the 2015 Copa do Brasil, by scoring twice in the final match against Santos. By the start of the 2016 season, the attitude problems were no longer an issue as Dudu took over as club captain following an elbow injury from former captain Fernando Prass. He then led the team to another title, the 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro, the ninth in the club's history.

In March 2018, he extended his contract until 2022. After the arrival of Roger Machado as the new head coach, Dudu was no longer wearing the armband for the team, while still being a regular starter on the left side of the attack.

Loan to Al-Duhail Dudu spent the 2020–21 season on loan at Qatar Stars League side Al-Duhail, making 35 appearances and scoring 15 goals across all competitions.

Return to Palmeiras In July 2021, Dudu returned to Palmeiras ahead of the 2021 Copa Libertadores final stages, appearing in seven matches and scoring twice in the team's winning campaign. He also played an important role in the team's 2022 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A title, appearing in all 38 rounds, scoring seven goals and receiving his fifth nomination to the Bola de Prata team of the year award.

Return to Cruzeiro On 23 December 2024, it was announced the return of Dudu to Cruzeiro on a three-year deal. On 26 April 2025, after getting into a public dispute with team manager Leonardo Jardim for being relegated to the bench in recent matches, Dudu was barred from first team activities indefinitely. On 2 May, he and Cruzeiro reached an agreement for the termination of his contract.

Atlético Mineiro On 6 May 2025, Dudu joined Atlético Mineiro on a deal running until December 2027.

International career On 28 October 2011, while playing for Dynamo, Dudu was called up to the senior team by manager Mano Menezes for friendlies against Gabon and Egypt. He made his national debut against Gabon on 10 November.

Career statistics

Club

International goals Brazil score listed first, score column indicates score after each Dudu goal.

Honours

Club Coritiba Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2010 Cruzeiro Campeonato Mineiro: 2011 Dynamo Kyiv Ukrainian Cup: 2013-14 Palmeiras Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2016, 2018, 2022, 2023 Copa do Brasil: 2015 Copa Libertadores: 2020, 2021 Campeonato Paulista: 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 Recopa Sudamericana: 2022 Supercopa do Brasil: 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Runner Up: 2021

International Brazil U20 FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2011 Brazil U17 South American U-17 Championship: 2009

Individual Bola de Ouro: 2018 Bola de Prata: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Player: 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2016, 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A top assist provider: 2016, 2018 Best Winger in Brazil: 2018 Campeonato Paulista Best Player: 2022 Campeonato Paulista Team of the Year: 2018, 2019, 2022 Copa Libertadores Dream Team: 2018, 2021 South American Team of the Year: 2018 FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball: 2021

Controversies

On 18 July 2025, Brazilian forward Dudu of Atlético Mineiro was handed a six-match ban and a R$90,000 fine by the Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) for misogynistic remarks he had posted on social media in 2023 about Palmeiras president Leila Pereira; the unanimous ruling, triggered by a complaint from the União Brasileira de Mulheres and featuring Pereira’s testimony, prompted Atlético Mineiro to seek a provisional suspension (efeito suspensivo) so the player could participate until a plenary appeal is heard, while both parties pursue parallel civil lawsuits alleging defamation and moral damages.