{{Short description|Brazilian footballer (born 2003)}} {{Portuguese name|França|Lima}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Wesley | image = | full_name = Wesley Vinícius França Lima | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|9|6|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imirante.com/index.php/esporte/sao-luis/2026/05/19/muito-gratificante-em-ser-maranhense-muito-orgulho-diz-maranhense-convocado-para-a-copa-em-jogo-do-flamengo-em-sao-luis|title=“Muito gratificante em ser maranhense, muito orgulho”, diz maranhense convocado para a Copa em jogo do Flamengo em São Luís|publisher=Imirante Esporte|date=19 May 2026|access-date=19 May 2026|language=pt}}</ref>, Brazil | height = 1.78 m<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fotmob.com/pt-BR/players/1320176/wesley|publisher=FotMob|title=Wesley|language=pt|access-date=19 May 2026}}</ref> | position = [[Right-back]], [[left-back]] | currentclub = [[AS Roma|Roma]] | clubnumber = 43 | youthyears1 = 2018 | youthclubs1 = [[Figueirense FC|Figueirense]] | youthyears2 = 2019–2020 | youthclubs2 = [[Clube Atlético Tubarão|Atlético Tubarão]] | youthyears3 = 2021–2023 | youthclubs3 = [[CR Flamengo (youth)|Flamengo]] | years1 = 2021 | clubs1 = [[Clube Atlético Tubarão|Atlético Tubarão]] | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2021–2025 | clubs2 = [[CR Flamengo|Flamengo]] | caps2 = 78 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2025– | clubs3 = [[AS Roma|Roma]] | caps3 = 30 | goals3 = 5 | nationalyears1 = 2025– | nationalteam1 = [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] | nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 23:15, 17 May 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 26 March 2026 }}
'''Wesley Vinícius França Lima''' (born 6 September 2003), known as '''Wesley''' (Brazilian Portuguese: [[Help:IPA/Portuguese|[ˈwɛslej]]]), is a Brazilian professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[right-back]] or [[left-back]] for {{Italian football updater|Roma}} club [[AS Roma|Roma]] and the [[Brazil national football team|Brazil national team]].
== Early life == Born in [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]], [[Maranhão]], Wesley moved to [[Florianópolis]], [[Santa Catarina (state)|Santa Catarina]] at the age of two.<ref name=GE>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/flamengo/noticia/2023/04/28/de-destaque-em-colonia-de-ferias-do-real-madrid-a-opcao-unica-para-lateral-wesley-cresce-no-flamengo.ghtml|title=De destaque em colônia de férias do Real Madrid a opção única para lateral, Wesley cresce no Flamengo|trans-title=From the spotlight in Real Madrid's summer camp to the sole option at full-back, Wesley grows at Flamengo|publisher=[[Grupo Globo|ge]]|language=pt-BR|date=28 April 2023|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref> He began his career with local side Clube Avante, and subsequently had a spell at ASCD Triunfo.<ref name=GE2>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/sc/futebol/noticia/2026/05/18/de-reprovado-na-base-a-copa-do-mundo-como-foi-o-inicio-de-wesley-em-sc.ghtml|title=De reprovado na base à Copa do Mundo: como foi o início de Wesley em SC|trans-title=From rejected at youth level to the World Cup: how Wesley's start in Santa Catarina was|publisher=[[Grupo Globo|ge]]|language=pt-BR|date=18 May 2026|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref>
Rejected in several trials at the age of ten, Wesley impressed in a [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] summer camp in Floranópolis in 2016, and joined the youth categories of [[Figueirense FC|Figueirense]] at the age of 15. He only spent five months at the latter before the club closed their youth setup, and subsequently moved to [[Clube Atlético Tubarão|Atlético Tubarão]].<ref name=GE2/>
== Club career == === Early career === Initially a member of Tubarão's under-17 team, Wesley made his senior debut with the club on 13 January 2021, playing the last 12 minutes of a 3–0 home loss to [[Joinville Esporte Clube|Joinville]], for the 2020 [[Copa Santa Catarina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://horahiper.com.br/esportes/ex-atletico-tubarao-vai-a-copa-do-mundo-com-ancelotti-31385|title=Ex-Atlético Tubarão vai à Copa do Mundo com Ancelotti|trans-title=Former Atlético Tubarão man goes to the World Cup with Ancelotti|publisher=Hora Hiper|language=pt-BR|date=18 May 2026|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref> He featured in a further four matches in the competition, as the club was eliminated in the group stage.
=== Flamengo === In April 2021, Atlético Tubarão announced Wesley's transfer to [[CR Flamengo|Flamengo]], initially for the youth setup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.portalinfosul.com.br/lateral-direito-do-tubarao-vai-jogar-no-flamengo/|title=Lateral-direito do Tubarão vai jogar no Flamengo|trans-title=Tubarão's right-back will play at Flamengo|publisher=Infosul|language=pt-BR|date=16 April 2021|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref> Regularly used in the under-20 squad, he made his first team – and [[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Série A]] – debut on 9 December, starting in a 2–0 away loss to [[Atlético Clube Goianiense|Atlético Goianiense]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lance.com.br/flamengo/andre-luiz-e-wesley-comentam-estreia-pelo-flamengo-no-profissional.html|title=André Luiz e Wesley comentam estreia pelo Flamengo no profissional|trans-title=André Luiz and Wesley talk about debut for Flamengo in the first team|publisher=[[Lance!]]|language=pt-BR|date=11 December 2021|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref>
Wesley returned to the under-20s for the 2022 season, and had a loan to [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] rejected in January 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/flamengo/noticia/2023/01/31/flamengo-recusa-proposta-do-barcelona-de-1-milhao-de-euros-por-wesley.ghtml|title=Flamengo recusa empréstimo de Wesley ao Barcelona por R$ 5 milhões|trans-title=Flamengo reject loan of Wesley to Barcelona for R$ 5 million|publisher=[[Grupo Globo|ge]]|language=pt-BR|date=31 January 2023|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref> He then overtook [[Guillermo Varela]] in the pecking order, and became a regular starter under head coach [[Jorge Sampaoli]],<ref name=GE/> scoring his first senior goal on 8 June 2023, in a 2–1 [[Copa Libertadores]] home win over [[Racing Club de Avellaneda|Racing Club]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mg.superesportes.com.br/app/noticias/futebol/flamengo/2023/06/09/noticia_flamengo,3997332/wesley-se-emociona-com-primeiro-gol-pelo-flamengo-e-desabafa-sobre-criticas.shtml|title=Wesley se emociona com primeiro gol pelo Flamengo e desabafa sobre críticas|trans-title=Wesley gets emotional with first goal for Flamengo and vents about criticism|publisher=Super Esportes|language=pt-BR|date=9 June 2023|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref>
On 11 July 2024, Wesley renewed his contract with ''Fla'' until December 2028.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/flamengo/noticia/2024/07/11/wesley-renova-contrato-com-flamengo-ate-fim-de-2028-e-passa-a-ter-multa-bilionaria.ghtml|title=Wesley renova contrato com Flamengo até fim de 2028 e passa a ter multa bilionária|trans-title=Wesley renews contract with Flamengo until the end of 2028 and starts to have a billionaire release clause|publisher=[[Grupo Globo|ge]]|language=pt-BR|date=11 July 2024|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref>
=== Roma === On 28 July 2025, Wesley signed a five-year contract with [[AS Roma|Roma]] in Italy.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=AS Roma|url=https://www.asroma.com/en/news/73612/wesley-franca-joins-roma|title=Wesley França joins Roma|date=28 July 2025|access-date=28 July 2025}}</ref> He scored on his competitive debut for the club during matchday 1 of the [[Serie A]], in a 1–0 win against [[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roma 1-0 Bologna |url=https://www.asroma.com/en/news/73734/roma-1-0-bologna |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=www.asroma.com |language=en}}</ref>
== International career == On 6 March 2025, Wesley was called up to the [[Brazil national football team|Brazil national team]] by head coach [[Dorival Júnior]] for two [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]] against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] and [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/flamengo/noticia/2025/03/06/wesley-do-flamengo-reage-a-convocacao-para-selecao-brasileira-veja-o-video.ghtml|title=Wesley, do Flamengo, reage à convocação para seleção brasileira; veja vídeos|trans-title=Wesley, from Flamengo, reacts to call-up to the Brazil national team; see videos|publisher=[[Grupo Globo|ge]]|language=pt-BR|date=6 March 2025|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref> He made his full international debut on 20 March, replacing [[Vanderson (footballer, born 2001)|Vanderson]] in a 2–1 win over the former at the [[Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/selecao-brasileira/noticia/2025/03/21/wesley-estreia-bem-na-selecao-e-viraliza-com-duelo-contra-luiz-diaz.ghtml|title=Wesley estreia bem na Seleção e viraliza com duelo contra Luis Díaz|trans-title=Wesley debuts well in the national team and goes viral in duel against Luis Díaz|publisher=[[Grupo Globo|ge]]|language=pt-BR|date=21 March 2025|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref>
On 18 May 2026, Wesley was included in [[Carlo Ancelotti]]'s 26-man squad for the [[2026 FIFA World Cup]], becoming the first player from Maranhão to appear in a World Cup for Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/ma/copa-do-mundo/noticia/2026/05/18/wesley-e-primeiro-maranhense-convocado-pela-selecao-para-a-copa-do-mundo-veja-a-trajetoria.ghtml|title=Wesley é o primeiro maranhense convocado pela Seleção para a Copa do Mundo; veja a trajetória|trans-title=Wesley is the first ''maranhense'' called up to the national team for the World Cup; see the trajectory|publisher=[[Grupo Globo|ge]]|language=pt-BR|date=18 May 2026|accessdate=19 May 2026}}</ref>
== Career statistics == === Club === {{updated|match played 17 May 2026}}<ref>{{Soccerway|wesley-vinicius-franca-lima/808961|access-date=10 February 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|State league{{efn|Includes [[Campeonato Carioca]]}} !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Copa do Brasil]], [[Coppa Italia]]}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |[[Clube Atlético Tubarão|Atlético Tubarão]] |[[2020 in Brazilian football|2020]] |[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série D|Série D]] |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|Appearances in [[Copa Santa Catarina]]}}||0||5||0 |- |rowspan="6"|[[CR Flamengo|Flamengo]] |[[2021 CR Flamengo season|2021]] |rowspan="5"|[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Série A]] |1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |[[2022 CR Flamengo season|2022]] |0||0||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0 |- |[[2023 CR Flamengo season|2023]] |35||1||3||0||9||0||7{{efn|name=CL|Appearances in [[Copa Libertadores]]}}||1||0||0||54||2 |- |[[2024 CR Flamengo season|2024]] |31||0||6||0||9||0||5{{efn|name=CL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||51||0 |- |[[2025 CR Flamengo season|2025]] |11||1||8||1||1||0||5{{efn|name=CL}}||0||3{{efn|One appearance in [[Supercopa do Brasil]], two appearances in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||0||28||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !78!!2!!19!!1!!19!!0!!17!!1!!3!!0!!136!!4 |- |[[AS Roma|Roma]] |[[2025–26 AS Roma season|2025–26]] |[[Serie A]] |30||5||colspan="2"|—||1||0||8{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||39||5 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !108!!7!!19!!1!!20!!0!!25!!1!!8!!0!!180!!9 |} {{notelist}}
=== International === {{updated|match played 26 March 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="2"|[[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] |2025||5||0 |- |2026||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!6!!0 |}
== Honours == '''Flamengo''' *[[Copa Libertadores]]: [[2022 Copa Libertadores|2022]] *[[Copa do Brasil]]: [[2024 Copa do Brasil|2024]] *[[Supercopa do Brasil]]: [[2025 Supercopa do Brasil|2025]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/supercopa-do-brasil/jogo/02-02-2025/botafogo-flamengo.ghtml|title=Flamengo domina o Botafogo e é campeão da Supercopa Rei|publisher=ge.globo|language=pt-br|date=2 February 2025|access-date=2 February 2025}}</ref> *[[Campeonato Carioca]]: [[2024 Campeonato Carioca|2024]], [[2025 Campeonato Carioca|2025]]
'''Individual''' *[[Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão#Team of the Year|Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year]]: 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/brasileirao-serie-a/noticia/2024/12/08/selecao-do-brasileirao-2024-com-dominio-do-botafogo-veja-premiados.ghtml |title=Seleção do Brasileirão 2024: com domínio do Botafogo, veja premiados |website=GloboEsporte |date=8 December 2024 |language=pt}}</ref> *[[Copa do Brasil]] Team of the Season: [[2024 Copa do Brasil|2024]]<ref name="Copa do Brasil awards">{{cite web |title=Campeão da Copa do Brasil, Flamengo domina seleção do torneio com oito representantes |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/futebol-2024/noticia/2024/11/13/campeao-da-copa-do-brasilflamengo-domina-selecao-do-torneio-com-oito-representantes.ghtml |language=pt-BR |publisher=O Globo |date=13 November 2024 |accessdate=13 November 2024}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.asroma.com/en/teams/men/wesley Profile] at the AS Roma website
{{AS Roma squad}} {{Brazil squad 2026 FIFA World Cup}} {{2024 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Franca, Wesley}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:2003 births]] [[Category:21st-century Brazilian sportsmen]] [[Category:Brazilian men's footballers]] [[Category:Footballers from Maranhão]] [[Category:Men's association football full-backs]] [[Category:Brazil men's international footballers]] [[Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players]] [[Category:Serie A players]] [[Category:Clube Atlético Tubarão players]] [[Category:CR Flamengo footballers]] [[Category:AS Roma players]] [[Category:2026 FIFA World Cup players]] [[Category:Brazilian expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Italy]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]