[6] He made his top-flight debut on 11 September as a starter in a 2–0 win at Náutico, due to Alex Telles's injury,[7] and totalled nine appearances as the club from Porto Alegre finished runners-up and qualified for the Copa Libertadores.

[10] He made his debut for the team on 15 August, replacing Sebastian Boenisch for the last 19 minutes of a 6–0 win away to sixth-tier SV Alemannia Waldalgesheim in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

[15] He played in the 2020 DFB-Pokal final, being booked after 29 minutes for a foul on Leon Goretzka in a 4–2 loss to double winners FC Bayern Munich.

[20] He was sent off on 7 December in a UEFA Champions League 2–1 group stage loss at home to Atlético Madrid for an arm in the face of Matheus Cunha, only seven minutes after coming on as a substitute for Zaidu Sanusi.

[25] On 20 January 2024, Wendell scored twice in a 4–0 home win over Moreirense,[26] adding another goal on 3 March in a 5–0 victory against title rivals Benfica in O Clássico.

[28] However, after the arrival of São Paulo players William Gomes and Moreira to Porto, Wendell's immediate release to the Brazilian club was agreed, being officially announced on 4 February.

[29] Wendell got his first call-up to the senior Brazil side for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela in October 2016, replacing Marcelo.