Vasco have a new “Barros” lined up for 2026, find out more | OneFootball

Vasco may have found an internal reinforcement for the 2026 season. After returning from a loan at Avaí, midfielder JP is expected to be utilized by coach Fernando Diniz, at least at the start of the year. The internal assessment is positive, and the player begins the season integrated with the main squad.

Loaned to the club from Santa Catarina in 2025, JP was one of Avaí's standouts in the Série B of the Brazilian Championship. The team finished the competition in ninth place, six points behind the G-4. Throughout the tournament, the midfielder played 26 matches, scored five goals, and contributed one assist.

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JP at Vasco's return to training — Photo: Dikran Sahagian / CRVG

Internally, the coaching staff believes that the period away from São Januário was important for the player's development. The perception is that JP returns at a higher level than he showed before the loan, both physically and technically.

The tendency is for the midfielder to receive initial opportunities in the Campeonato Carioca, with the possibility of being included in the squad for Brasileirão matches throughout the season. The move is seen as similar to what happened with Barros, who returned from loan at América-MG in the middle of last year and quickly established himself as a starter for the team.

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JP in action for Vasco in the Brasileirão — Photo: Thiago Ribeiro / AGIF

Revealed through Vasco's youth academy, JP had good performances in 2024 under the command of Rafael Paiva, but later lost his spot. Now, the club is betting on his maturity so that he can establish himself in the squad in 2026.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.