Gabriel Brazão reflects on painful year as left shoulder surgery is brought forward | OneFootball

Santos goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão has described a painful, learning year as he prepares for left shoulder surgery, five months after his father’s death. He is expected to return to activities only in 2027.

He has dealt with shoulder pain for months and the operation, originally planned for season’s end, has been brought forward after his condition worsened in recent matches. The player said in a social media post that it has been a year of pain, loss and sadness, that he believes the best is yet to come and that he will work to return as soon as possible, confident of coming back stronger.

With him sidelined, João Paulo, Diógenes, Rodrigo Falcão and under-20 João Pedro will compete for the goalkeeper’s spot. Wearing 77, he has been first choice for two years.

He attracted interest from Flamengo, clubs in England and Beşiktaş of Türkiye but chose to remain at Santos. This year he missed only three matches, two in April and one in May through suspension.

Born in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, he came through Cruzeiro’s academy without a senior debut, then joined Parma in 2019. He also spent time with Spal, Inter de Milão and Ternara, and in Spain with Albacete and Oviedo.

After terminating with Inter de Milão, Santos acquired 30% of his economic rights and signed him in February 2024. He debuted on 24 May that year in a 2-1 defeat at América-MG at Independência in Série B after João Paulo’s Achilles injury.

He kept the shirt, making 31 Série B appearances in 2024. In 2025 he played 55 times, including 38 league, 13 Paulista, two Copa do Brasil and two friendlies against Coritiba and RB Leipzig.

In 2026 he has 51 outings across the Brasileirão, Paulista, Copa do Brasil and Sul-Americana, plus a friendly with União São João. He has 137 matches for Santos and a contract until December 2028.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

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