How do you rate Zé Rafael’s season at Santos? Vote! | OneFootball

The midfielder Zé Rafael went through a challenging time upon his arrival at Santos and had to undergo a surgical procedure to correct a spinal issue. However, once he recovered, he demonstrated why he was signed and became an important part of the team led by coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, despite ending the year among the substitutes due to strong competition in the midfield.

In February of this year, the midfielder had to undergo surgery to correct the chronic spinal problem. He had an alteration in the lower lumbar region, called spondylolisthesis, which consists of a misalignment between two vertebrae, causing intense pain and varying degrees of functional limitation.

Zé Rafael then underwent the surgical procedure days after being announced and was sidelined for about three months. The midfielder only managed to debut with the Santos jersey in May, but quickly established himself as an important part of the team. The “Train” became a kind of 'engine' in the midfield and was a starter both under Cléber Xavier and Vojvoda.

The midfielder, therefore, showed Santos that it was worth waiting for his recovery. He established himself as one of the team's leaders and can play an important role in the next season, despite being used only in the second half of the last two games of the year. The player saw the duo João Schmidt and Willian Arão move ahead, but he remains highly regarded by the coaching staff.

Zé Rafael is a quality asset that Peixe has for the midfield moving forward, as he has a contract with the club until the end of 2027. The Santos team midfielder ended the season with one goal scored in 28 matches, 23 of which as a starter.

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