Thiago Emanuel Helguera Merello (born 26 March 2006) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Atlético Madrileño on loan from Primeira Liga club Braga.
Club career Born in Paysandú, Helguera began his career with local side Sportivo Independencia, representing the club at the under-13 national finals in 2019. He joined the academy of Nacional the following year, and was promoted to the first team, signing his first contract, in January 2023. He played his first game for the club in the 2023 edition of the Copa Río de la Plata, as Nacional lost to Argentinian opposition Colón de Santa Fe 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.
Helguera made his professional debut in the Uruguayan Primera División on 30 April 2023, coming on as a second-half substitute for Diego Zabala in a 3–0 win against La Luz. Following the game, Nacional manager Álvaro Gutiérrez said of Helguera "he has the tools, but you have to go carefully and slowly so that he can develop them".
On 14 June 2024, Helguera joined Primeira Liga club Braga on a five-year deal until June 2029. On 13 August of the following year, after featuring mainly with the reserves, he was loaned to Spanish Segunda División side Mirandés for one year.
International career Helguera has represented Uruguay at under-17 level. In January 2025, he was named in Uruguay's 23-man squad for the 2025 South American U-20 Championship.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNacional2023Liga AUF Uruguaya12000—10001302024Liga AUF Uruguaya4000—300070Total16000—4000200Braga2024–25Primeira Liga10000010—202026–27Primeira Liga00000000—00Total10000010—20Braga B2024–25Liga 3130————130Mirandés (loan)2025–26Segunda División35000———350Career total65000005000700 Notes
References
External links