He made his first team debut on 17 January 2018, starting in a 2–0 Campeonato Carioca away win over Volta Redonda, as the club used only under-20 players.

In February 2021, after being rarely used, Wendel was loaned to fellow second division club Sporting da Covilhã until the end of the season.

[6] Upon returning, Wendel became a regular starter for Leixões, and scored his first goal for the club on 22 August 2021, in a 2–1 home win over Académica de Coimbra.

[8] He made his first team debut on 25 November, coming off the bench to replace Wendell Borges for the final two minutes of a 2–2 home draw against Mafra in the Taça da Liga.

[11] He made his debut for the club five days later, starting in a 0–0 Série B home draw against Amazonas,[12] and scored his first goal on 7 September, in a 1–0 away win over Brusque.