Catatau back at São Januário as Volta Redonda meet Vasco in Carioca quarter-final | OneFootball

Catatau returns to São Januário tonight, leading Volta Redonda against former club Vasco in the Carioca quarter-final at 21:30. The winner will face Fluminense or Bangu.

According to Globo.com, the forward has two goals in six games this campaign and resumed his career in September 2025 after a review of the suspension he received for match manipulation.

His previous spell at Vasco coincided with the pandemic, so he experienced little direct contact with supporters, gauging the fanbase largely through social media and airport encounters.

Loaned from Madureira for the 2020 Brasileirão, he made 19 appearances, scored once and supplied one assist in a season overshadowed by the pandemic and by Vasco’s fourth relegation.

He maintains affection for Vasco but stresses his professionalism at Volta Redonda, focusing on scoring and pushing towards the Carioca final.

Raised in Abolição in Rio’s North Zone and a father of four, he kept playing during his ban on the amateur circuit to support his family. Payouts ranged from R$ 1,000 to R$ 500 per match, games he felt were tougher than the professional level, with inconsistent officiating.

He noted that many amateur sides fielded starters who were former professionals, and selection depended on delivering goals.

His punishment came while at Sepahan in Iran, where he had a strong contract and was settling better than at Mumbai City in India. In India he struggled with the food and daily habits, and during the pandemic he and team-mates lived in a resort.

He reflects that adaptation is often the hardest part of playing abroad, not life away from home itself, given the challenges he has faced since childhood to make it in football.

Source: Globo.com