Luan Martins Pereira (born 21 April 2000), commonly known as Luanzinho or simply Luan, is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for UAE Pro League club Sharjah. Born in Brazil, he represents the United Arab Emirates national team.
Club career Born in Ariquemes, Rondônia, Luanzinho joined Avaí's youth setup in August 2014. In July 2017, he was promoted to the main squad by manager Claudinei Oliveira.
On 3 August 2017, Luanzinho made his first team – and Série A – debut, coming on as a second-half substitute for Wellington Simião in a 0–5 away loss against Atlético Paranaense. In September, he extended his contract until 2021.
International career A Brazilian citizen by birth and former representative of Brazil at youth international level, Luanzinho was granted Emirati passport in October 2023, making him eligible to represent the United Arab Emirates national team through residency.
He made his international debut for the UAE against Korea DPR in March 2025 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match.
He scored his first international goal on 13 November 2026 against Iraq in another 2026 World Cup qualification match.
Personal life His father Edson Pereira was a Vilhena former footballer, while his brother Renan was also a footballer and a midfielder;Avaí repassa recursos para compra da casa de Renanzinho (Avaí transfer resources for the purchase of Renanzinho's house); Avaí FC, 10 August 2017 the latter was also groomed at Avaí, but died from a brain tumor in 2017.Renanzinho, jogador do Avaí, morre aos 20 anos em Florianópolis (Renanzinho, Avaí player, dies aged 20 in Florianópolis); Diário Catarinense, 21 December 2017
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAvaí2017Série A1900000——1902018Série B17113052——3522019Série A17010140——3112020Série B 001000——10Total531241920000864Sharjah2019–20UPL41———412020–212011061—2722021–222233120—2742022–2325673—103392023–24197101242—198Total8415124121231011024Career total137163651041231019628
International goals + List of international goals scored by LuanzinhoNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 8 September 2025 Zabeel Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 1–0 1–0 Friendly2 13 November 2025 Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 1–1 1–1 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification324 September 2026King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia3–04–027th Arabian Gulf Cup
Honours Avaí Campeonato Catarinense: 2019
Sharjah UAE President's Cup: 2021–22, 2022–23 UAE League Cup: 2022–23 UAE Super Cup: 2022 AFC Champions League Two: 2024–25
References
External links