Rafa Gonzaga training with first team, but Santos do not view left-back as ready | OneFootball

Rafa Gonzaga has been training with Santos' senior squad, but the club do not yet consider the left-back ready as they manage a shortage on that flank.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the position has been left light after Souza was sold and Vinicius Lira, who had taken over, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The football department also does not yet view Escobar as the best option.

While they value Escobar's commitment and defensive work, the staff want a more attacking profile. Barreal should operate as a wing-back, and centre-back Luan Peres, previously used there, is another option.

Meanwhile, the club are focusing on Gonzaga's Under-20 development and will keep assessing him. Club idol Leo Bastos is steering academy-to-first-team transitions and, having played left-back, is a key link.

Gonzaga's camp believe he has clear potential, but that his progress stalled in recent years and he needs to regain confidence.

Under-20 fixtures resume in April after a pause. He had been earning youth national team call-ups, but the last came in March last year. He scored in a preparatory friendly for Brazil Under-17 and won the South American title at that level.

In 2024 he featured at the South American Under-16, and in 2023 he won the Quadrangular in Paraguay with Brazil Under-15. He turned 18 in February and is contracted until May 2027, with a renewal being studied by the academy department. With Santos, he has won the Copa Nike at Under-15, the 2023 Copa Votorantim, the 2024 Paulista at Under-17 and the 2025 Paulista at Under-20.

Source: Diario Do Peixe