João Ananias ousts veteran to cement starting role at Santos | OneFootball

João Ananias, 19, has displaced veteran Luan Peres to cement a starting role at Santos under coach Cuca since the World Cup. He has completed 90 minutes in each of the last five matches and should keep his place against Athletico-PR on Sunday at 18:30 Brasília, at Vila Belmiro, in round 22 of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

“I have been here since I was 11. It is an immense joy to be going through all this at Santos. To live these things so young is the fulfilment of a dream,” he told the club's TV channel.

In Tuesday's Copa do Brasil win over Remo he made his 10th senior appearance. He became Cuca's pick after Luan Peres struggled against Botafogo, a display that contributed to the defeat at the Nilton Santos.

Cuca has pushed academy talent, a policy accelerated by a Fifa transfer ban over a debt to Monaco relating to Jean Lucas. Keen to protect Ananias, he kept faith after the defender's own goal against Chapecoense.

Ananias began training with the first team last year under Cleber Xavier, then made the bench for a Brasileiro win at Cruzeiro at the Mineirão. He debuted this season in a draw with Bahia, starting alongside Lucas Veríssimo.

In 2025 he extended his contract until July 2030. He impressed in the club's São Paulo under-20 title win, scoring twice in the final against São Paulo to take the tie to penalties.

He was called up by Brazil under-20s for two friendlies with Bolivia at Granja Comary, but Santos blocked the trip because he is a starter and Lucas Veríssimo was injured.

Source: Globo.com

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