Matthew Jacob Leal (born February 21, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Athlone Town.[1][2]

Matthew Leal
Personal information
Full name Matthew Jacob Leal
Date of birth (2003-02-21) February 21, 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Center-back, midfielder
Team information
Current team
Athlone Town
Number 23
Youth career
2016–2017 EF Belém Estádio Restelo
2017–2018 Belenenses
2018–2019 Sacavenense
2019–2022 Casa Pia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Athlone Town 21 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:11, 13 August 2023 (UTC)

Career edit

Youth edit

In 2016, Matthew competed in the IberCup, an international tournament.[1] In July 2017, he joined C.F. Os Belenenses. His European Union passport makes him eligible to play for any European team.[3]

Personal life edit

He is originally from Newton, Massachusetts. His twin brother, Patrick Leal, is also a soccer player who plays for Venezia FC.[4] He is of Portuguese descent through his father and holds a Portuguese passport.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Sigal, Jonathan (January 1, 2018). "Leal twins, former Revs and Valeo standouts, now with Portugal's Os Belenenses". New England Soccer Journal.
  2. ^ "Matthew Leal". PlaymakerStats.com. December 2, 2021.
  3. ^ "Leal twins, former Valeo and Revs standouts, with Portugal's Os Belenenses". ValeoFCJamaica. June 21, 2018.
  4. ^ Cardillo, Julian (September 2, 2019). "American midfielder Patrick Leal, 16, signs five-year deal with Sporting CP". Orlando Sentinel.
  5. ^ "Patrick Leal on Sporting CP journey: "You can never feel satisfied"". New England Soccer Journal. January 2, 2020.

External links edit