Forgotten Juventus midfielder Arthur aims to convince Spalletti & Ancelotti, Compares himself to Napoli star Lobotka | OneFootball

Few players in recent Serie A history have had their careers so dramatically derailed by a single transfer as Juventus man Arthur Melo.

The Brazilian arrived at Juventus from Barcelona in 2020 amid enormous fanfare, only to endure five deeply frustrating years in Turin that yielded little of the elegance that had made him one of Europe’s most coveted midfielders.

Now, on loan at boyhood club Gremio, the Brazilian looks reborn, and he has his sights set on convincing Luciano Spalletti to give him one final chance at the Allianz Stadium.

The numbers from his return to Brazil have been striking.

Eleven appearances, a goal, and a pass completion rate of 95% in 2026 alone, capped by helping Gremio win the Gaucho, the Rio Grande do Sul state championship.

A minor muscular injury in the final against Internacional has been the only blemish.

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Juventus Outcast Arthur Aiming To Convince Head Coach Spalletti

His self-assessment is characteristically bold, with quotes via La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Luciano likes to have an organising midfielder, a fulcrum of the team, and I love that role,” he said. “Pizarro and Lobotka both flourished under Spalletti with possession-based, tactically intelligent football. It is not absurd to think I could adapt well. We will see.”

On his troubled spell in Turin, Arthur was thoughtful rather than bitter.

“I arrived during a period of transition at the club with many changes, and that probably affected everyone, including me,” he said. “I have the regret of not being able to show at Juventus what I am demonstrating at Gremio. But I learned a lot in Italy.”

He was equally philosophical about leaving Barcelona.

“It leaves a bittersweet taste, I was happy there. But Juventus allowed me to discover another culture and grow as a man, even through difficulties. Lessons I perhaps would never have learned staying in my comfort zone.”

Arthur also addressed his hopes of a Brazil World Cup call-up under Carlo Ancelotti, and took the opportunity to recommend two Gremio youngsters, 18-year-old defender Luis Guedes and 17-year-old winger Gabriel Mec, as future stars to monitor.

On playing alongside both Messi and Ronaldo, his verdict was suitably poetic. “Leo is magic. Cristiano is work, hunger, ambition: a winning mentality that pushes everyone around him. I feel privileged to have played with both.”