Thiago Martins (footballer, born 1995)

Thiago Martins
Martins with New York City FC in 2025
Personal information
Full name Thiago Martins Bueno
Date of birth (1995-03-17) 17 March 1995
Place of birth São João Evangelista, Brazil
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
New York City FC
Number 13
Youth career
–2014 Palmeiras
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013 Mogi Mirim 0 (0)
2014–2019 Palmeiras 50 (3)
2015Paysandu (loan) 29 (2)
2017Bahia (loan) 11 (0)
2018–2019Yokohama F. Marinos (loan) 46 (0)
2020–2022 Yokohama F. Marinos 53 (1)
2022– New York City FC 77 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 July 2024

Thiago Martins Bueno (born 17 March 1995 in São João Evangelista) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a centre-back for Major League Soccer club New York City FC.[2]

Club career

Palmeiras

Martins began his career in the youth system of Palmeiras, making his professional debut in 2013. He was part of the team that won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B that year and later contributed to Palmeiras winning the Série A title in 2016.[3] He made over 50 appearances for the club, including loan spells at Paysandu in 2015 and Bahia in 2017.

Yokohama F. Marinos

In 2018, Martins joined J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos on loan. After an impressive campaign, the move was made permanent in 2020. He was a key figure in the club's 2019 league title and was named to the J.League Best XI.[4]

New York City FC

On February 7, 2022, Martins signed with New York City FC as a Designated Player, becoming the most expensive defender in MLS history at the time.[5] He played a key role in the team’s Campeones Cup win later that year and was named NYCFC’s Etihad Player of the Month for July 2022.[6] In 2024, he was selected as an MLS All-Star.[7]

Playing style

Martins is known for his speed, strength, and composure on the ball. He often plays in a high line and is valued for his passing range and defensive leadership. Coaches have praised his ability to transition quickly from defense to attack.[8]


Career statistics

As of 21 October 2023[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition
Club Season League State League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Palmeiras 2013 Série B 1 0 1 0
2016 Série A 17 2 8 1 2 1 4[a] 0 31 4
2017 0 0 0 0
2018 7 0 17 0 0 0 4 1 28 1
Total 25 2 25 1 2 1 8 1 60 5
Paysandu (loan) 2015 Série B 29 2 6 0 35 2
Bahia (loan) 2017 Série A 11 0 11 0
Yokohama F. Marinos (loan) 2018 J1 League 13 0 1 0 4 0 18 0
2019 33 0 0 0 1 0 34 0
Yokohama F. Marinos 2020 21 1 2 0 5 0 1 0 29 1
2021 32 0 1 0 4 0 37 9
Total 99 1 2 0 11 0 5 0 1 0 118 1
New York City FC 2022 Major League Soccer 26 0 1 0 5 0 4 0 36 0
2023 26 0 1 0 3 0 30 0
Total 52 0 2 0 5 0 7 0 66 0
Career total 216 3 25 1 12 1 11 0 18 1 8 0 290 6
  1. ^ Appearances in Copa Libertadores

Honours

Club

Palmeiras
Yokohama F. Marinos
New York City FC

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Thiago Martins". New York City FC. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  2. ^ "New York City Football Club Signs Defender Thiago Martins from Yokohama F. Marinos as a Designated Player".
  3. ^ https://www.newyorkcityfc.com/news/thiago-martins-10-things-to-know
  4. ^ https://www.newyorkcityfc.com/news/new-york-city-football-club-signs-defender-thiago-martins-from-yokohama-f-marino
  5. ^ https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/nycfc-sign-defender-thiago-martins-from-japanese-club-as-designated-player
  6. ^ https://www.newyorkcityfc.com/news/thiago-martins-named-etihad-player-of-the-month-for-july
  7. ^ https://nycfcworld.com/2025-new-york-city-fc-player-preview-thiago-martins
  8. ^ https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/nycfc-sign-defender-thiago-martins-from-japanese-club-as-designated-player
  9. ^ Thiago Martins at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Teruhito Nakagawa named J. League MVP, with Iniesta joining Marinos and Tokyo players in Best XI". The Japan Times. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2022.