Matheus Pereira

West Bromwich Albion On 8 August 2019, Pereira joined West Bromwich Albion on an initial season-long loan with a view to a permanent move. He scored his first goal in the Championship on 28 September, in a 2–0 away win against Queens Park Rangers.

On 20 June 2020, after the player had appeared in the required number of matches, a buyout clause was triggered, obligating the club into Pereira’s purchase. The following month, he won the Supporters’ Player of the Season award after collecting 65% of the votes.

Despite the buyout clause being met months earlier, it took until 17 August 2020 for Pereira to be officially announced as an Albion player, eventually signing a four-year contract. To ensure the player’s focus remained on the field, the board decided to leave the negotiations until after the season had ended.

Pereira made his Premier League debut on 13 September 2020, playing the entire 0–3 home loss against Leicester City. He scored his first goal six days later, through a direct free kick in a 5–2 away defeat to Everton.

On 3 April 2021, Pereira scored a brace in first-half stoppage time in an eventual 5–2 win at Chelsea; this sealed Albion's first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1978, and handed Thomas Tuchel his first loss as the opposition's head coach. On 9 May, his tenth goal of the season – becoming the first club player to get on double digits since Saido Berahino in 2014–15 – amounted to nothing because his team lost 3–1 at Arsenal and confirmed their relegation.

On 1 August 2021, recently appointed manager Valérien Ismaël announced that Pereira would leave the club before the end of the transfer window, accusing him of "not being committed". The following day, the latter released a statement on his social media accounts, confirming that he wished to leave but also expressing anger at the former's comments, branding them "disrespectful".

Al Hilal On 6 August 2021, Pereira agreed to a deal with Al Hilal SFC for an undisclosed fee. He scored his first goal for the club the following 6 February, in a 6–1 rout of Al Jazira Club in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Pereira was loaned to Al Wahda FC of the UAE Pro League in January 2023, until June.

Cruzeiro In July 2023, also on loan, Pereira joined Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. He made his Série A debut on 29 July aged 27, in a 3–3 draw at Club Athletico Paranaense. He scored his first goal on 30 November, in the reverse fixture against the same opposition (1–1).

On 17 June 2024, having totalled seven goals and ten assists from 40 appearances until that point, Pereira signed a permanent two-year contract for about €5.5 million. In December that year, he was voted Player of the Year at the Mineirão after leading his team in goals and decisive passes.

International career On 11 October 2024, Pereira was called up for the Brazil national team to replace Lucas Paquetá, who was suspended for the match against Peru in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be held four days later; he featured 15 minutes in the 4–0 win in Brasília to earn his first cap.

Career statistics

Honours Al Hilal Saudi Pro League: 2021–22 AFC Champions League: 2021

Cruzeiro Campeonato Mineiro: 2026

Individual Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2025 Troféu Mesa Redonda Team of the Year: 2025 Bola de Prata: 2025