Welington (footballer)

Welington Damascena Santos (born 19 February 2001), known as Welington, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for São Paulo.

Early career
Welington played 26 matches for São Paulo under-15s, 37 matches in the under-17s and 107 matches in the under-20s. He won several trophies such as the 2018 Copa do Brasil U20 and the 2019 Copinha. In the latter, he was part of the squad who shaved his head in honour of a fan of the club who had brain cancer.

He was named in the professional team for the first time in December 2019 for the last match of the Brazilian Championship against CSA. São Paulo won 2–1, but Welington did not make his debut.

2020
Turning professional in 2020, he made his debut on 8 March 2020, in a 1–0 defeat to Botafogo de Ribeirão Preto in the Campeonato Paulista. He came on in the second half in place of Everton and suffered a fall in a head collision, but he remained on the field until the end of the match and was later taken to hospital.

2021
On 14 April, he scored his first goal as a professional in a 3–2 victory over Guarani in the Campeonato Paulista. On 23 May, he was part of the Paulista winning squad after beating Palmeiras 2–0 but was an unused substitute. On 3 June, Welington renewed his contract until 31 December 2024.

2022
On 27 March, he scored the first goal in a 2–1 victory over Corinthians in the semi-finals of the Campeonato Paulista, helping São Paulo reach their second consecutive final. On 3 April, Welington was a starter in the final, but ended up being beaten 4–0 by Palmeiras.

2023
Previously wearing the number 34 shirt, he started using the number six shirt after Reinaldo's departure. After an injury suffered against Botafogo-SP in the Campeonato Paulista, he was injured again more seriously on 13 March in a match against Água Santa, where he underwent ligament surgery on his left ankle. After four months, he returned to training on the field for the first time in June. On 19 August, Welington played his hundredth match for the club in the goalless draw with Botafogo.

2024
On 4 February, he was part of the winning squad for the Supercopa Rei final against Palmeiras which ended 4–2 on penalties, after a goalless draw in normal time.

Honours

 * São Paulo
 * Copa São Paulo de Futebol Jr.: 2019
 * Campeonato Paulista: 2021
 * Copa do Brasil: 2023
 * Supercopa do Brasil: 2024