Midfielder or playmaker? Where Victor Hugo fits at Santos | OneFootball

Reinforcement for Santos for the remainder of the season, Victor Hugo introduced his characteristics to the fans. The 21-year-old player made it clear that he prefers to play a bit further forward, as a box-to-box midfielder or playmaker.

“I can play both roles. I believe I’m ready to play wherever the coach needs me. I’ve played a lot as both an 8 and a 10. I know how to do both well. Wherever I’m needed, I’ll be available,” he began.

“I can play all the midfield roles, both in defense and attack. I like to touch the ball, participate, keep the game moving, and also get into the box to score goals. My main characteristic is building up play and getting forward to finish,” he added.

Victor Hugo also revealed that he has had few experiences as a defensive midfielder, but stated that he can play the role if coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda needs him to.

“I haven’t played much as a defensive midfielder, I trained more in that position in the youth teams. It’s a role I haven’t played much, maybe just in the second half a few times. I can help if needed, if the coach wants. But I haven’t done it much. I’ve played more as an 8 and a 10,” he pointed out.

Element of Surprise

At Santos, the midfielder actually wants to regain a bit of his goal-scoring instinct. The youngster admitted he misses the days when he would get into the box more to finish. In his professional career, the year he scored the most goals was 2022, with four goals.

“In the youth teams I was always the number 10, scoring goals and providing assists. But I believe even football itself has lost a bit of that number 10. Teams play with two 8s, with one going forward more and the other staying back. It was an adaptation to football. I started to become more of an 8 in the professional ranks,” he said.

“My characteristics are those of a 10, but I can play as an 8 very well. I want to regain my offensive presence, score more goals. I think here I’ll be able to put that into practice,” he concluded.

European Maturity

Last season, Victor Hugo was on loan at Göztepe, in Turkey. He played 35 matches for the team, starting 12, and scored three goals. The midfielder viewed the experience positively.

“I improved my defensive skills in Turkey. There, it’s all about duels and physical strength. I had that, but not as much. In Turkey I developed that more, improved physically, got better defensively, and won more duels. My main improvement abroad was the physical side, the dynamics, winning more duels. I think that’s what I improved the most,” he analyzed.

Combining his stints at Flamengo and Göztepe, Victor Hugo has racked up 136 games, nine goals, six assists, 17 big chances created, 73 key passes, an 83% pass accuracy, 372 duels won, and 103 successful dribbles (61%), according to Sofascore statistics.

The midfielder joins Santos on loan from Rubro-Negro. The contract runs until July 31, 2026. He is already registered in the CBF’s Daily Information Bulletin (BID).

Upcoming Santos Matches

Atlético-MG vs Santos (23rd round of the Brazilian Championship) Date and time: September 14 (Sunday), at 4:00 p.m. (Brasília time) Venue: Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte (MG)

Santos vs São Paulo (24th round of the Brazilian Championship) Date and time: September 21 (Sunday), at 8:30 p.m. (Brasília time) Venue: Vila Belmiro, in Santos (SP)

Santos’ Situation in the Brasileirão

Position in the table: 16th place, with 22 points – the same as Vitória, who are just above the relegation zone.

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