How Miguelito earned his place at Santos | OneFootball

Coach Cuca has been betting on reviving talent from within Santos’ own squad, and the biggest example of that work before the break for the World Cup goes by the name of Miguelito.

The Bolivian has earned more space, became a starter in the last four matches, and already has two assists and one goal under the new manager.

The reasons why the young prospect has gained prominence were detailed by ge. Check them out below!

The Tactical Change

The big secret behind the youngster’s improvement was his repositioning on the field. Used to playing out wide on the wings (especially on the right), Miguelito was moved by Cuca to play centrally as a playmaker, taking on the role usually filled by Neymar or Rollheiser.

The coach praised the player’s adaptation: "He’s doing very well. Of course, he still hasn’t adapted 100% because he’s a wide player, but he trained there and took advantage of it. He gave our team more presence and was very important in our last victories," Cuca said.

Overcoming Challenges and Recent History

Miguelito’s rise comes after periods of ups and downs at Vila Belmiro:

Past criticism: Making his first-team debut in 2022 at age 18, he had few chances at first. In 2024, he was even publicly criticized by then-manager Fábio Carille and midfielder Giuliano for an alleged lack of intensity and focus in training.

Turning things around: Last year, he was loaned to América-MG to gain more playing time (25 matches, 7 goals, and 5 assists). In addition, he established himself as an undisputed starter for the Bolivian national team, finishing the qualifiers as the tournament’s second-highest scorer with 7 goals.

Contract at Stake

The increased minutes with the first team come at a crucial moment behind the scenes. Miguelito is under contract with Peixe only until April 25, 2027. With the possibility of signing a pre-contract with another club later this year, a renewal now depends directly on the increased value and playing time the player has been receiving under Cuca.

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

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