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For the Portuguese footballer, see Tiago Maia.
In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Maia and the second or paternal family name is Alencar.
Quick facts for kids
Thiago Maia
Brasil estreia contra a África do Sul no Mané Garrincha — копия (3).jpg
Thiago Maia with the Brazil U23 team in 2016
Personal information
Full name Thiago Maia Alencar
Date of birth (1997-03-23) 23 March 1997 (age 28)
Place of birth Boa Vista, Brazil
Height 1.80 m
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Internacional
Number 29
Youth career
Extremo Norte
2010–2011 São Caetano
2011–2015 Santos
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2014–2017 Santos 101 (3)
2017–2022 Lille 61 (0)
2020–2021 → Flamengo (loan) 43 (1)
2022–2024 Flamengo 70 (1)
2024 → Internacional (loan) 10 (0)
2024– Internacional 17 (2)
National team‡
2013–2014 Brazil U17 8 (0)
2015 Brazil U20 8 (0)
2016–2019 Brazil U23 6 (0)
Honours
Olympic Games
Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:26, 6 January 2025 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 2 July 2021

Thiago Maia Alencar (born on March 23, 1997), known as Thiago Maia, is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for the club Internacional in Brazil's top league, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

Thiago Maia's Football Journey

Thiago Maia started his football journey in Boa Vista, Roraima, where he was born. He first played for a local team called Extremo Norte. In 2010, he moved to São Paulo and joined the youth team of São Caetano. The next year, he moved to Santos, a famous Brazilian club.

Playing for Santos FC

Lance da partida Santos 0 x 1 Sport Recife, válida pela 10ª rodada do Brasileirão 2017 (34705495023) (cropped)
Thiago Maia playing for Santos in 2017

Thiago Maia made his first appearance for Santos's main team on October 25, 2014. He came on as a substitute in a game against Chapecoense. In 2015, he became a regular starter for the team. This happened after another player, Alison, got injured. Thiago Maia played very well and received a lot of praise.

On August 22, 2015, Thiago Maia scored his first goal as a professional player. It was in a big 5–2 win against Avaí. A few months later, he signed a new contract with Santos that would keep him there until 2019.

He became a key player for Santos during the 2016 season. He played in the middle of the field alongside Renato. During this time, big European clubs like Chelsea, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain showed interest in him.

On March 4, 2017, Thiago Maia played his 100th game for Santos. Five days later, he played his first game in the Copa Libertadores, which is a big South American club competition. He scored a goal in that game, helping his team get a 1–1 draw.

Moving to Lille OSC

Thiago Maia (LOSC)
Thiago Maia with Lille in 2018

On July 15, 2017, Thiago Maia moved to France to play for Lille. The club paid about €14 million to sign him. He played 37 games for Lille in his first season and scored one goal.

Playing for Flamengo

On January 22, 2020, Thiago Maia returned to Brazil. He joined Flamengo on a loan deal for 18 months. This deal also included an option for Flamengo to buy him permanently.

Flamengo officially bought Thiago Maia on January 13, 2022. He continued to play for the club for several more seasons.

Joining Internacional

On March 7, 2024, Thiago Maia moved to Internacional on a loan deal. The clubs had already agreed on the terms for a permanent transfer. On July 3, Internacional officially bought him. He signed a contract with them until 2026.

Playing for Brazil

Thiago Maia has also played for Brazil's national youth teams. On December 26, 2014, he was called up to the Brazil under-20 squad. He played in the 2015 South American Youth Football Championship.

Thiago Maia 2016
Maia taking a shot at the 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Thiago Maia was chosen to play for the Olympic team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He won a gold medal with the team. He was also the first athlete from his home state of Roraima to play in the Olympic football tournament.

A Good Deed

On December 17, 2024, Thiago Maia received the FIFA Fair Play Award. This award recognized his kindness and help during the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods. He volunteered his time to help people affected by the floods.

Trophies and Awards

Thiago Maia has won many trophies with his clubs and the national team:

Santos

  • Campeonato Paulista: 2016 (State Championship)

Flamengo

  • Recopa Sudamericana: 2020 (South American Supercup)
  • Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2020 (Brazilian National League)
  • Copa do Brasil: 2022 (Brazilian Cup)
  • Supercopa do Brasil: 2020, 2021 (Brazilian Supercup)
  • Campeonato Carioca: 2020, 2021 (Rio de Janeiro State Championship)
  • Copa Libertadores: 2022 (South American Champions League)

Brazil U23

Individual Awards

  • Campeonato Paulista Team of the Year: 2016
  • Troféu Mesa Redonda Team of the Year: 2024
  • FIFA Fair Play Award: 2024

Images for kids

  • Lance da partida Santos 0 x 1 Sport Recife, válida pela 10ª rodada do Brasileirão 2017 (34705495023) (cropped)

    Thiago Maia playing for Santos in 2017

  • Thiago Maia (LOSC)

    Thiago Maia with Lille in 2018

  • Thiago Maia 2016

    Maia taking a shot at the 2016 Summer Olympics

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Thiago Maia para niños

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