Mayke arrives as the answer, but fails to deliver for Santos in 2025 | OneFootball

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

In theory, it seemed like a safe bet: experience, an impressive résumé, and the ability to secure a starting spot without major adjustments. In practice, however, his sporting return fell far short of expectations. On the field, Mayke was unable to establish himself. In total, he played just 12 matches for Peixe, starting in ten of them, without recording any goals or assists.

His defensive stats show reasonable involvement—17 tackles, nine interceptions, and a good pass accuracy rate (87%)—but his low offensive effectiveness weighs negatively, especially for a full-back signed specifically to provide depth and quality down the right flank. His crossing success rate of just 20% highlights this difficulty.

Beyond his technical performance, his loss of space throughout the season is also noteworthy. In the final stretch of the Brasileirão, Mayke saw Igor Vinícius take over the position and stand out under Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s management, which further reduced his prominence. The lack of consistency, combined with the cost of his contract through 2027, sparked internal debate about his cost-effectiveness.

Given all this, the assessment of the signing is negative. Mayke arrived with the profile of an immediate starter but ended the season as a secondary option, with no direct impact on results. For 2026, the right-back will try to regain his place and justify the investment, while Santos considers whether keeping him is a bet on a turnaround or just another burden on the payroll.

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