Jair’s strong return boosts Vasco midfield options after 0-0 with Fluminense | OneFootball

After 11 months out, Jair returned to Vasco’s XI and impressed in a 0-0 draw with Fluminense in Saturday’s Copa do Brasil last-16 first leg.

According to Globo.com, his previous start was on 31 August 2025 against Sport, when a multi-ligament injury to his right knee in the first half ruled him out long term. Ge users rated him among Vasco’s best in the derby.

His comeback matters amid a shortage in midfield. The board had targeted the role all year, progressing a deal for Racing’s Santiago Sosa after struggles in the market.

Hugo Moura has since joined Al-Fayha in Saudi Arabia. Pedro Emanuel has five options there, Barros, Thiago Mendes, Tchê Tchê, Ramon Rique and Jair, and against Fluminense he used three midfielders, with only Barros on the bench as Mendes was suspended.

Sosa’s arrival will ease the club’s search, while talks for Nelson Deossa with Betis have dragged for almost 50 days.

Sosa was omitted from Racing’s game on Saturday due to his imminent move to Vasco, after being named on Friday’s list, and it was agreed he would not play. Only bureaucratic details remain, with a fee near 7 million dollars, R$ 35 million, and wages more than double his Argentine salary. He stepped onto the El Cilindro pitch pre-match to say goodbye and was applauded.

Source: Globo.com