Guilherme Madruga

Guilherme Miranda Madruga Gomes (born 11 November 2000) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Shandong Taishan.

Career Born in Campo Grande but raised in São Gabriel do Oeste, both in Mato Grosso do Sul, Madruga began his career at the age of 13, under the influence of his father. Despite wanting to be a handball player, he moved back to his hometown to live with his grandparents, and played for a local school before representing Ipatinga. He made his senior debut with the latter side on 23 February 2019, starting in a 6–1 Campeonato Paulista Série A3 home routing of Rio Preto.

Madruga scored his first senior goal on 13 July 2019, netting the opener in a 1–1 away draw against Taubaté, for the year's Copa Paulista. In August 2021, he moved on loan to Campeonato Paulista Segunda Divisão side Catanduva.

Upon returning to DB, Madruga only featured in one match in the 2022 Paulista A3 before again becoming a starter in the Copa Paulista. On 18 November of that year, he was announced at Série B side Botafogo-SP, on a one-year loan deal.

On 27 June 2023, in the match against Novorizontino, Madruga scored a bicycle kick goal from outside of the area, which earned him a nomination for the 2023 FIFA Puskás Award edition and sealed Botas 1–0 win; it was also his first goal for the club. On 21 October, he scored Botafogo's second goal in a 2–0 home win over the same opponent, this time close to the central line.

On 24 October 2023, Botafogo exercised Madruga's buyout clause, purchasing 60% of his economic rights for the upcoming season.

Personal life Madruga's father Genildo (nicknamed Eskerdinha) also played amateur football in Campo Grande during the 1990s.

Career statistics

Honours Individual FIFA Puskás Award: 2023