Célio Pompeu Bio
Célio Antônio Pompeu Pinheiro Martins (born 10 December 1999) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for St. Louis City in Major League Soccer (MLS). He came up through Brazilian youth academies before moving to the United States to play college soccer, and he now represents one of the most exciting young wingers in MLS. Pompeu is widely respected for his dribbling ability and his quick feet in wide attacking positions.
Standing at 1.78 m tall, Pompeu combines pace, close control, and creativity on the ball, which has made him a regular contributor for both St. Louis City 2 in MLS Next Pro and the senior St. Louis City squad. He wears the number 12 shirt for the senior club and continues to develop as a key part of the team’s attack.
Early Life and Background
Célio Antônio Pompeu Pinheiro Martins was born on 10 December 1999 in Fortaleza, Brazil. Fortaleza, the capital of the state of Ceará, is a coastal city in northeastern Brazil that has produced a long list of professional footballers. Growing up in this football-rich environment, Pompeu was introduced to the sport at a young age through local clubs and street games that are common in the region.
His family background in Fortaleza helped shape his early love for the game, and he began his youth career with the local club Ceará in 2009. After two years developing in the Ceará youth system, he had a brief spell at Botafogo in 2011 before returning to Ceará to continue his football education.
Pompeu eventually moved to the United States as a teenager to broaden his playing experience. In 2019, he joined Cedar Stars Rush, an academy program that helped bridge his transition into the American college soccer pathway.
Path to Soccer
Pompeu’s path to professional soccer in the United States went through the college ranks. From 2019 to 2021, he played for the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams, the school’s college team, where he showcased his attacking skills and continued to build the dribbling style that would later define his professional reputation.
His performances at VCU caught the attention of professional scouts, particularly those connected to the growing St. Louis soccer organization. Following his college career, Pompeu was offered the chance to turn professional with St. Louis City 2, the MLS Next Pro affiliate of St. Louis City SC, starting in 2022.
Making the jump from college soccer to a professional developmental league is a significant step, and Pompeu handled the transition well by playing with confidence on the wing and creating chances for his teammates from his first appearances.
Célio Pompeu Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Pompeu began his professional career with St. Louis City 2 in MLS Next Pro during the 2022 season. Playing as a winger, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous attacking players, using his speed and close control to beat defenders and deliver service into the box.
During that debut professional season, Pompeu registered 49 successful dribbles, the highest total in MLS Next Pro in 2022. He played a key role in helping St. Louis City 2 capture the regular-season Western Conference Championship that same year, marking his first major team honour as a professional.
St. Louis City 2 Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Pompeu’s standout form for St. Louis City 2 in 2022 earned him a senior opportunity. On 18 November 2022, his MLS option was exercised, formally tying him to St. Louis City SC ahead of the 2023 season. That decision confirmed the club’s belief in his long-term potential.
His successful dribbling numbers and consistent performances gave him a clear pathway into the senior squad, and he transitioned smoothly into the MLS environment while continuing to contribute for the developmental side when called upon.
St. Louis City Era (2023–Present)
Since 2023, Pompeu has been a member of the senior St. Louis City roster, representing the club in Major League Soccer. On 26 April 2024, he signed a new contract with St. Louis City that runs through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027, showing the club’s commitment to him as a long-term piece of the project.
His time with the senior team, however, was interrupted by a serious injury. On 15 June 2024, during a match against FC Dallas, Pompeu suffered an ankle dislocation and a fibula fracture, which sidelined him for the second half of the 2024 season as he worked through recovery and rehabilitation.
Playing Style and Strengths
Pompeu is best known for his exceptional dribbling ability, using quick footwork and sharp changes of direction to beat opposing defenders in one-on-one situations. His comfort operating out wide allows him to cut inside onto his stronger foot, create goal-scoring chances, and stretch opposing defences. He combines that technical skill with the work rate and pressing expected of modern wide players in MLS.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Pompeu’s most notable milestones came in 2022 when he led MLS Next Pro in successful dribbles with 49, a figure that highlighted his ability to consistently beat opponents. He also helped St. Louis City 2 lift the regular-season Western Conference Championship that same year, before signing his long-term MLS deal with St. Louis City in 2024.
Célio Pompeu Career Wins
In his short professional career, Célio Pompeu has accumulated one major team title at the developmental level and has built a growing reputation as a difference-maker on the wing. While he is still in the early stages of his senior career, his trophy with St. Louis City 2 and his consistent individual production mark him as one of the promising Brazilian wingers in the American soccer pyramid.
MLS Next Pro Highlights
During his time with St. Louis City 2 in MLS Next Pro from 2022 to 2023, Pompeu was a regular contributor in wide areas. His most memorable moment in the league came in 2022, when he registered 49 successful dribbles, the highest in MLS Next Pro that season. He also played a central role in St. Louis City 2 winning the regular-season Western Conference Championship in 2022.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his club achievements, Pompeu represented the VCU Rams in U.S. college soccer from 2019 to 2021, gaining valuable experience that helped him transition to the professional ranks. His performances at VCU were a key stepping stone toward his eventual move into MLS Next Pro and then Major League Soccer.
Célio Pompeu Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Célio Pompeu was raised in Fortaleza, Brazil, in a region with a strong footballing culture. Limited verified public information is available about his parents, though his Brazilian upbringing in Ceará clearly influenced his early decision to pursue a professional soccer career.
Personal Life
Pompeu keeps much of his personal life private. There is limited verified public information about his spouse or children. He has focused publicly on his football career and his recovery from the ankle and fibula injury suffered in June 2024.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents an important chapter for Célio Pompeu as he continues his recovery from the ankle dislocation and fibula fracture suffered in June 2024. Returning to full fitness will be a major storyline for both the player and the club, with St. Louis City expected to give him time to rebuild match sharpness.
Under his contract that runs through 2026, Pompeu remains a central part of St. Louis City’s long-term plans on the wing. The club’s investment in him, combined with his reputation as a top dribbler, suggests he will be eased back into regular minutes during the early part of the 2025 campaign.
If he can return to his pre-injury form, Pompeu has the tools to once again be a matchup problem for opposing defenders in MLS. His combination of dribbling, pace, and creativity gives St. Louis City a dangerous attacking option as the team pushes for a stronger season in 2025.