Maiara Carolina Niehues Bio
Maiara Carolina Niehues (born 11 August 2004) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Standing 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) tall, she represents the Brazil national team and is regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in South American women’s football.
After rising through the youth ranks in her home state of Santa Catarina, Niehues moved to Europe to play for Sporting Clube de Portugal before returning to the Western Hemisphere with Angel City FC. Her combination of technical skill, positional awareness, and work rate has helped her collect senior minutes at a young age across two continents.
Early Life and Background
Maiara Carolina Niehues was born on 11 August 2004 in Itapiranga, a municipality in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The region is known for producing competitive footballers, and Niehues grew up surrounded by a strong local sporting culture that encouraged youth participation in the game from an early age.
She began her playing career in the youth system of Associação Chapecoense de Futebol, one of the most prominent clubs in Santa Catarina. By the age of 15, she had broken into Chapecoense’s senior squad, an unusually early milestone that signaled her advanced technical development. Her time at Chapecoense laid the foundation for the professional pathway that followed.
Path to Soccer
After a short stint at Iranduba, Niehues joined Sport Club Internacional in 2020, where she would spend two formative seasons. At Internacional, she appeared for the club’s senior, under-20, under-18, under-17, and under-16 teams, compiling eight goals and four assists across all competitions. She also helped Internacional’s under-20 side reach the 2022 Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino Sub-20, a national title match that marked one of the most significant achievements of her developmental years.
Her performances at Internacional drew attention abroad, and in September 2022 she made the leap to European football with Sporting Clube de Portugal in the Portuguese top flight. The move to Lisbon represented a clear step up in competition and exposed her to a more tactical, possession-based style of play that would later influence her game in the NWSL.
Maiara Carolina Niehues Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Niehues made her senior debut for Chapecoense during the 2019 season at the age of 15, becoming one of the youngest players to appear for the club’s first team. After one season she moved on to Iranduba before settling at Internacional, where she transitioned into a regular contributor across multiple age groups and the senior side.
Her two-year spell at Internacional produced eight goals and four assists and included a 2022 National Championship appearance with the under-20 team. These results established her as a top young prospect in Brazilian football and set the stage for her transfer abroad.
Sporting CP Breakthrough (2022–2025)
Niehues joined Sporting Clube de Portugal in September 2022 and quickly earned a role in the senior squad. Over the course of three seasons in Lisbon, she appeared in 57 matches across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and adding three assists in 3,214 minutes on the pitch.
Her productivity and consistency in Portugal helped her develop into a complete two-way midfielder capable of contributing in both the final third and defensive phases. The spell also expanded her experience in European cup competition and weekly top-flight football, sharpening her tactical reading of the game.
Angel City FC Era (2025–Present)
In March 2025, Angel City FC acquired Niehues for an undisclosed transfer fee, signing her to a three-year contract. The move brought her back to the Americas and into one of the most-watched women’s leagues in the world.
Niehues scored her first goal for Angel City on September 1, 2025, netting the eventual game winner in a 2–1 victory over Bay FC. The moment served as an immediate impact contribution and signaled her readiness to play a meaningful role in the NWSL.
Playing Style and Strengths
Niehues is a central midfielder whose game is built on tactical intelligence, clean distribution, and a willingness to arrive late in the attacking third. Her 1.76 m frame allows her to compete in aerial duels, while her experience in multiple youth systems has given her a versatile skill set that fits both possession-based and transition styles of play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature moments, Niehues helped Internacional’s under-20 team reach a 2022 National Championship match, scored 18 goals in 57 appearances for Sporting CP, and netted a debut NWSL game winner against Bay FC on September 1, 2025. She also represented Brazil at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, adding a major international tournament to her résumé.
Maiara Carolina Niehues Career Wins
Across her club career, Maiara Carolina Niehues has accumulated measurable production at every stop. She scored eight goals and added four assists during her time at Internacional and tallied 18 goals with three assists in 57 matches for Sporting CP, reflecting steady growth as a midfielder in increasingly competitive leagues.
Sporting CP Highlights
During her three seasons with Sporting Clube de Portugal, Niehues made 57 appearances in all competitions, recording 18 goals and three assists in 3,214 minutes. Her consistent minutes underlined her status as a regular starter and a key part of the Lisbon side’s midfield rotation.
Other Wins and Performances
At Internacional, Niehues contributed to a 2022 National Championship appearance with the under-20 squad, one of the most meaningful results of her developmental years. Her first senior goal for Angel City FC, scored on September 1, 2025, sealed a 2–1 win over Bay FC and marked her first goal in the NWSL.
Maiara Carolina Niehues Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Maiara Carolina Niehues was raised in Itapiranga, in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, a region recognized for its strong football culture. The public record does not detail her parents’ identities or any direct family members who played the sport at a high level.
Personal Life
Niehues is known to keep her personal life largely private, and no public details about a spouse, partner, or children have been disclosed. As of 2025, she resides in the Los Angeles area following her transfer to Angel City FC, and she continues to represent the Brazil national team alongside her club duties.
2025 Season Performance
Maiara Carolina Niehues entered the 2025 NWSL season with Angel City FC after being acquired in March and signed to a three-year contract. She made an early impression by scoring the game winner in a 2–1 victory over Bay FC on September 1, 2025, a result that showcased her finishing ability in tight matches.
Her role within the Angel City midfield has continued to grow as the season has progressed, with the club leaning on her tactical awareness and distribution. Internationally, she represented Brazil at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and remained in the senior national team picture, an indication of her standing within the Seleção setup.
Looking ahead, Niehues is expected to remain a central figure in Angel City’s plans and a candidate for further senior international duty. Her blend of European experience and Brazilian technical roots positions her well for a larger role in both club and country over the coming seasons.