How would you rate Mayke's season for Santos? Vote! | OneFootball

The signing of Mayke by Santos was surrounded by high expectations. A multi-champion with Palmeiras and known for his consistent high-level performance, the right-back arrived at Vila Belmiro in July 2025 with the status of an immediate solution for one of the most lacking positions in the squad.

In theory, it was considered a safe bet: experience, a strong resume, and the ability to take on the starting position without major adjustments. In practice, however, the sporting return fell far short of expectations. On the field, Mayke failed to establish himself. In total, he played only 12 matches wearing the Peixe jersey, starting ten of them, without recording any goals or assists.

The defensive numbers show a reasonable contribution – 17 tackles, nine interceptions, and a good pass accuracy rate (87%) – but the low offensive effectiveness weighs negatively, especially for a full-back hired specifically to provide depth and quality to the right flank. The mere 20% success rate in crosses highlights this difficulty.

Besides the technical performance, the loss of space throughout the season also stands out. In the final stretch of the Brasileirão, Mayke saw Igor Vinícius take over the position and excel under the command of Juan Pablo Vojvoda, which further diminished his prominence. The lack of consistency, combined with the contract cost until 2027, sparked internal debate about cost-effectiveness.

In light of this, the evaluation of the signing is negative. Mayke arrived with the profile of an immediate starter but ended the season as a secondary option, without a direct impact on the results. For 2026, the right-back aims to regain his place and justify the investment, while Santos assesses whether his stay represents a chance for a comeback or just another burden on the payroll.

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