Luana Bertolucci Paixão Bio
Luana Bertolucci Paixão, born on 2 May 1993 in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. She currently represents Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Brazil women’s national team. Standing 1.63 m tall, she has built a career across clubs in Brazil, Norway, South Korea, and France since turning professional in 2011.
Known simply as Luana on the field, she is recognized for her playmaking ability in midfield and her resilience after publicly overcoming a cancer diagnosis in 2024. Her journey from a São Paulo upbringing to European leagues and back to the Americas has made her a respected figure in women’s football.
Early Life and Background
Luana was born in São Bernardo do Campo, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. She grew up in a country where women’s football has grown steadily since the early 2000s, and she was drawn to the sport at a young age. Her early footballing roots were tied to the metropolitan area of greater São Paulo, a region known for producing top-level talent.
As a youth player, she was attached to several local clubs, including São Bernardo, São Caetano, and Corinthians. These early experiences allowed her to develop her technical skills and understanding of the game before making her senior debut. Her time in the youth ranks laid the foundation for a professional career that would soon take her abroad.
Path to Professional Soccer
Luana’s transition into senior football began when she signed for Associação Desportiva Centro Olímpico in early 2011. At Centro Olímpico, she made her league debut against Rio Preto on 2 October 2013 and scored her first goal against Avaí on 11 September 2014, finding the net in the 20th minute. Her development at the club marked her as one of the promising young midfielders in Brazilian women’s football.
Internationally, Luana represented Brazil at the youth level before reaching the senior squad. She played for the Brazil women’s under-17 team at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, where the team reached the quarter-finals. After graduating to the under-20 side, she attended the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2012 in Japan. In December 2012, she earned her first senior cap at the International Women’s Football Tournament of City of São Paulo, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 win over Denmark.
Luana Bertolucci Paixão Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Luana’s senior career began at Centro Olímpico, where she played from 2011 to 2014. During her time with the São Paulo-based club, she steadily grew into a regular contributor in midfield. Her performances in the Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino helped her gain attention beyond Brazil.
After four years at Centro Olímpico, Luana was ready for a new challenge. In 2015, she made the move to Europe, agreeing a transfer to Norwegian Toppserien club Avaldsnes IL. This step marked the beginning of her international club career.
Avaldsnes Era (2015–2018)
Luana joined Avaldsnes ahead of the 2015 season, and the club finished as runners-up in both the Toppserien league and the Norwegian Women’s Cup that year. That runner-up finish also qualified Avaldsnes for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. Luana made her league debut against Arna-Bjørnar on 29 March 2015 and scored her first goal against Kolbotn on 19 April 2015, netting in the 62nd minute.
In 2017, Luana was named Avaldsnes’ Player of the Year as the club won the Norwegian Women’s Cup. She signed a one-year contract extension in November 2017, continuing her role as a central figure in the team’s midfield. Her performances in Norway established her as a reliable playmaker and leader on the pitch.
Hwacheon KSPO and Paris Saint-Germain (2019–2022)
After leaving Avaldsnes, Luana had a brief stint at South Korean side Hwacheon KSPO in 2019. She then moved to France, joining Paris Saint-Germain on 3 January 2020 on a six-month deal. She extended her contract until 30 June 2021 on 29 May 2020 and scored her first league goal for the club against Dijon on 4 October 2020. Her time at PSG gave her experience in one of Europe’s top domestic leagues.
Corinthians (2022–2023)
Luana returned to Brazil in 2022, signing with Corinthians. She scored on her league debut for the club against Ceará on 25 February 2023, reaffirming her ability to make an immediate impact at a new team. Her stint at Corinthians kept her sharp as she prepared for her next international move.
Orlando Pride Era (2024–Present)
On 14 December 2023, Orlando Pride announced the signing of Luana to a two-year contract with a mutual option for 2026. She made her NWSL league debut against Racing Louisville on 16 March 2024, beginning a new chapter in her career. Her arrival added experience and international pedigree to the Pride midfield.
In April 2024, Luana was placed on the season-ending injury list following a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. She publicly announced the diagnosis on 29 April 2024 and completed her final round of chemotherapy on 4 October 2024. Luana returned to the field in September 2025, making her first appearance back from her diagnosis in a CONCACAF W Champions Cup match against Alajuelense.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Luana’s career came in 2019, when she was initially left out of Brazil’s 23-player squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup on 16 May 2019. She was added to the group the following day after Adriana withdrew due to a knee ligament injury, a dramatic turn that allowed her to take part in the tournament. Her senior international debut came in December 2012 at the City of São Paulo tournament, and her first senior goal came against Chile on 2 July 2023.
Luana Bertolucci Paixão Career Wins
Across her club career, Luana has accumulated team honours in three countries. Her most notable club success came in 2017, when she was named Avaldsnes’ Player of the Year as the club won the Norwegian Women’s Cup. With the Brazil women’s national team, she won the 2022 Copa América Femenina in Colombia.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to her club achievements, Luana has been a steady presence in the Brazil national team setup since 2012. Her first senior cap came at the 2012 International Women’s Football Tournament of City of São Paulo, and she has since continued to feature for the Seleção. Her 2022 Copa América Femenina medal adds international silverware to her résumé.
Luana Bertolucci Paixão Family
Personal Life
Luana has been open about her personal health journey. In April 2024, she shared publicly that she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and would begin chemotherapy. She completed her final round of chemotherapy on 4 October 2024 and returned to competitive football with Orlando Pride in September 2025. Her openness about her diagnosis has been widely praised by teammates and fans.
2025 Season Performance
Luana’s 2025 season has been defined by her long-awaited return to competitive football following her cancer treatment. After completing chemotherapy in October 2024, she worked through her rehabilitation and rejoined Orlando Pride’s matchday squad in September 2025. Her first appearance back came in a CONCACAF W Champions Cup match against Alajuelense, marking an emotional milestone in her recovery.
Her return adds midfield depth and experience to an Orlando Pride squad aiming to compete in the NWSL. Luana’s leadership and tactical awareness are expected to play a role in the team’s playoff push. As she continues to build match fitness, her presence on the field is set to be a major boost for the Pride.