Mauricio Lemos

Paolo Mauricio Lemos Merladett (born 28 December 1995) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Peñarol.

Club career

Defensor Born in Rivera, Lemos was a Defensor Sporting youth graduate. On 6 January 2014, aged 18, he was promoted to the main squad.

Lemos made his professional debut on 11 May 2014, starting in a 2–1 home loss against Montevideo Wanderers. After appearing in only two matches during his debut campaign, he was more regularly used in his second; however, his appearances were limited due to an appendicitis and call-ups to the under-20 national team.

Rubin Kazan On 3 July 2015, Lemos was loaned to Russian Premier League side FC Rubin Kazan, for one year. He made his debut for the club on 3 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 away defeat to Spartak Moscow.

After appearing in eight matches for the club (four in the league), Lemos was bought outright.

Las Palmas On 28 January 2016, Lemos was loaned to La Liga side UD Las Palmas, with a buyout clause. He made his debut in the competition on 20 February, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jonathan Viera in a 1–2 home loss against FC Barcelona.

On 6 May 2016, after appearing in nine matches for the Amarillos, Lemos signed a permanent five-year deal with the club effective in July. He scored his first goal in the main category of Spanish football the following 30 January, netting his team's second in a 3–1 home win against Valencia CF.

On 10 March 2017, Lemos scored a brace in a 4–3 away win against RCD Espanyol.

Sassuolo (loan) On 22 January 2018, Las Palmas announced they had reached an agreement with Italian club Sassuolo for the loan of Lemos.

Fenerbahçe On 26 August 2020, Fenerbahçe announced the signing of Lemos on a three-year contract.

Beerschot (loan) On 31 August 2021, Lemos was loaned to Belgian club K Beerschot VA for the 2021–22 season.

Atlético Mineiro On 16 February 2023, Lemos joined Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro on a ten-month deal.

Vasco da Gama On 15 January 2025, Lemos signed a one-year deal with Vasco da Gama.

Peñarol He signed for Urugyuan club Peñarol in February 2026, something he described as a dream. He told the club that "you'll have a fan on the pitch".

International career Lemos has represented Uruguay with the U22 team at 2015 Pan American Games, winning the gold medal.

He received maiden call-up to senior team in October 2017 and was included in the squad to play friendlies against Poland and Austria. He made his debut on 10 November 2017, playing 90 minutes in a 0–0 draw against Poland.

Personal life Lemos is the younger brother of footballer Maximiliano Lemos.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours Atlético Mineiro Campeonato Mineiro: 2023, 2024