Renan Lodi is a Brazilian professional footballer who has built his career as a left-back, representing clubs across South America, Europe, England and Saudi Arabia. Born on April 8, 1998, in Serrana, São Paulo, his full name is Renan Augusto Lodi dos Santos. His career has included domestic league success, appearances in major European competitions and international football with Brazil.
Lodi developed his game in Brazil before earning the opportunity to move to Atlético Madrid in Spain. From there, his career took him to Nottingham Forest, Marseille and Al Hilal before he eventually returned to Brazilian football with Atlético Mineiro. Throughout those moves, he has mainly operated on the left side of defence, although his ability to advance into attacking areas has also allowed him to contribute further up the pitch.
Early Years and Football Development in Brazil
Lodi’s route into professional football began with Athletico Paranaense, where he entered the youth structure in 2012. Moving into an established academy at a young age gave him several years to develop before reaching senior football. His progress eventually resulted in a first-team opportunity during the 2016 Brazilian Série A season.
His senior league debut arrived in October 2016 against Grêmio. Although Athletico Paranaense lost the match, the appearance marked the beginning of Lodi’s professional career. He was not immediately established as a permanent first-team starter and continued gaining experience through the club’s younger side and state-level competition. That period helped prepare him for a much larger role in the seasons that followed.
Establishing Himself at Athletico Paranaense
The 2018 campaign became an important stage in Lodi’s development. He received more regular senior opportunities and started demonstrating that he could contribute at both ends of the pitch. In March of that year, he registered his first senior goal during a convincing victory over Maringá in the Campeonato Paranaense.
As his performances became more consistent, Athletico Paranaense showed its confidence in him through contract extensions. Under coach Tiago Nunes, Lodi developed into a regular option at left-back. His speed, movement down the flank and willingness to support attacks helped him become increasingly important to the team. His progress in Brazil soon attracted attention from European clubs looking for a young full-back with senior experience.
Moving to Atlético Madrid
Lodi’s first major international transfer came in the summer of 2019 when Atlético Madrid agreed to sign him from Athletico Paranaense. The move was officially completed in July, with the Brazilian committing his future to the Spanish club on a long-term contract.
Moving from Brazilian football into La Liga represented a major adjustment. Atlético Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, had built a reputation around defensive organization, discipline and tactical responsibility. For an attacking-minded full-back, adapting to those demands required Lodi to improve his positioning and decision-making while continuing to offer width when the team moved forward.
Becoming Part of Atlético Madrid’s First Team
Lodi received substantial playing time during his early period in Madrid. His ability to move quickly into space on the left provided Atlético with another route when building attacks. He could overlap outside the winger, carry the ball forward and deliver crosses into the penalty area.
His first goal for Atlético Madrid arrived in November 2019 during a league match against Granada. While scoring was never his primary responsibility, his involvement in attacking situations showed why Atlético had invested in him. The Brazilian continued competing for minutes while learning the tactical demands associated with playing under Simeone.
Winning the Spanish League Title
One of the most significant achievements of Lodi’s career came during Atlético Madrid’s 2020–21 La Liga title-winning season. Atlético spent much of the campaign competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona for the championship, and the title race remained open until the final stages.
Lodi played a particularly important part in a match against Osasuna in May 2021. Atlético were trailing at a point when dropped points could have seriously damaged their title hopes. After entering as a substitute, Lodi scored the equalizer before Luis Suárez completed the comeback. Atlético eventually won 2–1 and remained in control of their championship challenge. The club secured the league title in its final match, giving Lodi his first La Liga winners’ medal.
A Memorable Champions League Night at Old Trafford
Another major moment in Lodi’s Atlético career came in the UEFA Champions League in March 2022. Atlético travelled to Old Trafford for the second leg of their round-of-16 tie against Manchester United after the opening match had finished level.
Lodi scored the only goal of the second leg, heading Atlético into the lead and helping his side record a 1–0 victory. The result gave the Spanish club a 2–1 aggregate win and sent them into the Champions League quarter-finals. Scoring the decisive goal away against Manchester United became one of the most recognizable individual moments of his European career.
Renan Lodi at Nottingham Forest
In August 2022, Lodi moved to England when Nottingham Forest signed him on a season-long loan from Atlético Madrid. Forest had recently returned to the Premier League and recruited a large number of players as they prepared for their first season back in England’s top division.
Premier League football presented Lodi with another tactical and physical challenge. He was used on the left side and had to deal with the league’s quick transitions and direct attacking play. During his season in England, he became a regular member of the Forest squad and contributed to the team’s attempt to secure Premier League survival.
His First Nottingham Forest Goal
Lodi’s first goal in Nottingham Forest colours came against Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup in November 2022. The strike helped Forest progress in the competition and provided another example of his ability to contribute from the left side.
His time at Forest also included an important run in domestic cup competition. The club reached the semi-finals of the EFL Cup during the 2022–23 season. More importantly, Forest successfully maintained their Premier League status. Lodi returned to Atlético Madrid after the conclusion of his loan rather than remaining permanently at the City Ground.
Transfer to Marseille
Lodi’s next destination was France. In July 2023, Marseille completed an agreement to bring him in from Atlético Madrid. The transfer provided him with another opportunity to establish himself at a major European club while experiencing Ligue 1 for the first time.
His stay in Marseille was relatively brief. Nevertheless, playing in France added another major European league to his career record. By this point, Lodi had competed in Spain, England and France after beginning his professional journey in Brazil. His experience across different leagues demonstrated his ability to work within different tactical systems and adjust to changing responsibilities.
Joining Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia
In January 2024, Lodi left Marseille and signed for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. His transfer was reported to be worth around €23 million, and he agreed to a contract lasting three and a half years.
At Al Hilal, Lodi joined a squad containing several experienced international footballers. The club was competing for major domestic honours and had significant expectations. His role again centered on providing defensive coverage on the left while supporting attacking moves whenever opportunities developed.
Success During His Time With Al Hilal
Lodi’s period in Saudi Arabia brought further team success. Al Hilal were one of the strongest sides in the country’s domestic competition, and being part of the squad added more trophies and winning experience to his career.
His situation eventually changed because of squad registration considerations involving foreign players. After returning to Brazil in 2025, Lodi ended his contract with Al Hilal in September. The departure closed another chapter in a career that had already taken him through several footballing environments.
Returning to Brazilian Football With Atlético Mineiro
After spending several years abroad, Lodi prepared for a return to Brazilian club football. Atlético Mineiro announced an agreement in principle for his signing in December 2025. The transfer was subsequently completed, with Lodi joining the Belo Horizonte club on a long-term deal.
The move brought him back to the Brazilian Série A, the competition where his senior career had started almost a decade earlier. However, he returned as a considerably more experienced player. By then, he had played in the Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Saudi Pro League, while also representing his country at international level.
Renan Lodi’s Brazil National Team Career
Lodi’s performances at club level earned him recognition from the Brazilian national team. He made his senior international debut on October 10, 2019, when Brazil faced Senegal in a friendly. He entered the match as a replacement for Alex Sandro as the game finished 1–1.
Competition for the left-back position in Brazil has traditionally been strong, and Lodi had to compete with established players for international appearances. His club performances nevertheless kept him involved in the national-team picture, particularly during the early years of his Atlético Madrid career.
Playing in the 2021 Copa América
One of Lodi’s most important international experiences came during the 2021 Copa América. Brazil hosted the tournament and reached the final after progressing through the group and knockout stages.
Lodi featured during the competition as Brazil advanced to the deciding match against Argentina. Brazil eventually lost the final 1–0, leaving Lodi and his teammates with runners-up medals. Despite the disappointment of the final result, participating in a major continental tournament represented an important point in his international career.
Renan Lodi’s Playing Style
Lodi is primarily a left-back, but much of his value comes from his willingness to move beyond a purely defensive position. He likes to advance down the flank and can provide width when his team has possession. His acceleration allows him to make overlapping runs and support players operating ahead of him.
His experience under Diego Simeone also required him to become more disciplined defensively. Atlético Madrid’s structure demanded concentration without possession, awareness of space and an ability to recover quickly after attacking moves. Those years helped Lodi develop a more balanced understanding of the full-back position.
Attacking Contribution From Left-Back
Although Lodi has never been expected to produce the scoring numbers of an attacking player, he has shown an ability to influence important matches. His goals against Osasuna in Atlético Madrid’s title-winning campaign and Manchester United in the Champions League are notable examples.
His attacking contribution is generally based on movement rather than simply scoring goals. He can move into advanced positions, combine with teammates and create crossing opportunities. When space opens on the left, his pace allows him to move from defence into attack quickly, making him useful during transitions.
Defensive Responsibilities and Tactical Experience
Lodi’s career has exposed him to several different approaches to defending. Atlético Madrid placed considerable emphasis on maintaining shape and limiting space, while his Premier League experience required him to deal regularly with high-tempo attacks and physical battles.
Playing in multiple countries has also meant adapting to different expectations. Brazilian football gave him his technical foundation, Spanish football developed his tactical discipline, and his time in England exposed him to a particularly fast domestic competition. His later spells in France and Saudi Arabia further expanded that experience.
What Teams Has Renan Lodi Played For?
Lodi’s senior club journey began with Athletico Paranaense before his move to Atlético Madrid in 2019. He later spent the 2022–23 campaign with Nottingham Forest on loan before joining Marseille permanently in 2023.
He transferred from Marseille to Al Hilal in January 2024 and remained connected with the Saudi club until his departure in 2025. His next move took him back to Brazil with Atlético Mineiro. This career path means he has represented clubs in Brazil, Spain, England, France and Saudi Arabia.
Major Achievements During His Career
Winning La Liga with Atlético Madrid in the 2020–21 season remains one of Lodi’s biggest achievements in European football. His late goal against Osasuna during the closing stages of that campaign gave him a direct role in a result that proved important to Atlético’s championship success.
His career also includes major domestic success with Al Hilal and a Copa América runners-up finish with Brazil. Beyond trophies, he has experienced Champions League knockout football and played regularly in several of the world’s most competitive domestic leagues.
A Career Built Across Different Football Cultures
Few Brazilian full-backs of Lodi’s generation have experienced such a varied sequence of leagues within a relatively short period. After developing at Athletico Paranaense, he entered Spanish football at 21 and then experienced the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Saudi Pro League before returning home.
Every move presented a different challenge. Atlético Madrid demanded tactical discipline, Nottingham Forest were fighting to establish themselves after Premier League promotion, Marseille carried the pressure associated with one of France’s largest clubs, and Al Hilal competed with expectations of winning major honours.
Conclusion
Renan Lodi’s career has taken him from the youth system of Athletico Paranaense to major competitions across several countries. His rise in Brazil earned him a transfer to Atlético Madrid, where he became a Spanish league champion and scored important goals in both La Liga and the Champions League.
His later spells with Nottingham Forest, Marseille and Al Hilal expanded his experience before his return to Brazil with Atlético Mineiro. Alongside his club career, Lodi has represented the Brazil national team and appeared in the 2021 Copa América final. His journey reflects the career of a modern Brazilian full-back who has tested himself in different leagues, tactical systems and levels of competition while continuing to operate primarily from the left side of defence.
