A youth graduate from Bahia, where he arrived in 2009, Talisca made his professional debut against Corinthians on 7 July 2013, and scored his first goal in the next match against São Paulo.[1][2]
Benfica
On 5 July 2014, after his debut season, Talisca moved to Portuguese champion Benfica for a €4.75 million fee (agent fee included), the highest paid for a Bahia player.[3][4][5] On 18 July 2014, he scored his first goal for Benfica on his debut in their Taça de Honra semi-final win against Estoril.[6] On 12 September, he scored a hat-trick in an away victory against Vitória de Setúbal.[7] On 27 September, he scored two goals in a row against Estoril in an away win (3–2) and became the Primeira Liga's top goalscorer with five goals.[8] On 5 October, he scored his sixth goal in Portuguese league and maintained the top scorer lead.[9] On 31 October, he scored his eighth and fourth consecutive goal in Primeira Liga, in a home win against Rio Ave (1–0), keeping the top scorer lead.
On 4 November 2014, he scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League, the only goal of the game to defeat Monaco in the group stage. He described scoring the 82nd-minute goal as the "best feeling" in his life.[10] On 26 January 2016, he netted a hat-trick in a 6–1 win at Moreirense in the Taça da Liga.[11]
On 24 August 2016, Talisca joined Turkish club Beşiktaş on a 1+1-year loan deal[15][16][17] for a €2 million fee for the first season. Talisca signed a contract worth €1.5 million in the first season plus bonuses.[15] On 13 September, on his return to the Estádio da Luz in a Champions League group game, he scored an added-time free kick to ensure a 1–1 draw.[18]
On 26 October 2018, Benfica announced that Talisca had moved permanently to the Chinese club for a transfer fee of €19.2 million.[19]
Al-Nassr
On 17 May 2021, Talisca joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for a reported transfer fee of $9.5 million.[23] On 16 December 2022, he scored a hat-trick for the club, helping his side to a 4–1 away league victory against Al-Raed.[24]
On 7 April 2023, Talisca signed a new three-year contract to keep him at Al-Nassr until 2026.[25]
On 7 November 2023, he scored a hat-trick for his club against Al-Duhail[26] and won in a group match of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League,[27] Becoming the first player to score a hat-trick for the club in the Champions League.
On 27 January 2025, Fenerbahçe announced they had reached an agreement with Al-Nassr for the transfer of Talisca.[29]
International career
On 11 November 2014, Talisca was called up by Dunga to the Brazil national team to replace Lucas Moura in the international fixtures against Turkey and Austria.[30]
He was called again by coach Tite in March 2018 to take part in the away friendly fixtures against Russia and Germany,[31] but he did not play in either match.[32][33]
Style of play
He has been nicknamed "Yaya Talisca" in reference to Ivorian midfielder Yaya Touré, but bases his game on that of his compatriot Neymar.[34] He has also been compared to fellow Brazilian Rivaldo.[35]
^"V. Setúbal-Benfica, 0–5 (crónica)" [Vitória Setubal- Benfica, 0–5 (chronicle)]. Maisfutebol.iol.pt (in Portuguese). 12 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
^Godinho, João Paulo (8 May 2016). "Benfica vence e sai líder do Caldeirão" [Benfica win and leaves the Caldeirão as leader]. SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 16 October 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
^ ab"Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF). CMVM (in Portuguese). 26 October 2018. Archived(PDF) from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
^"塔利斯卡正式加盟广州队". Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C. 8 June 2018. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
^Cunha, Pedro Jorge (17 May 2015). "Benfica bicampeão: 28 com as faixas e dois à espera" [Benfica back-to-back champion: 28 with the sashes and two await] (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.