Matheus Nascimento credits Luís Castro for Grêmio move and recalls Renato praise | OneFootball

Matheus Nascimento was unveiled by Grêmio on Friday after signing a four-year contract, saying the chance to reunite with Luís Castro was decisive. According to Globo.com, the 22-year-old had previously worked with the Portuguese coach at Botafogo.

He said he had offers from abroad but did not hesitate once Grêmio called, highlighting the rapport he enjoyed with Castro. Nascimento will wear number 30 and added that a 2021 compliment from Renato Portaluppi made him follow the club more closely. He called Grêmio a giant, citing its Libertadores and Mundial honours.

The centre-forward broke through at Botafogo aged 16. In 2021 the Rio club rejected a bid of 23 million euros, but he later lost space and spent 2025 on loan at Los Angeles Galaxy.

In MLS he played 38 games, scoring seven goals and providing three assists. His last appearance came on 23 May in a 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo, when he came on in the second half.

Grêmio have strengthened up front after André Henrique’s sale to Goztepe of Türkiye. Nascimento will compete with leading scorer and first-choice Carlos Vinicius, as well as Braithwaite, and he thanked team-mates for a warm welcome, saying the experience has matured him and left him better prepared to play in Brazil.

Source: Globo.com