Neymar understudy Rollheiser becomes Cuca’s 12th man at Santos as numbers rise | OneFootball

Rollheiser’s form has surged at Santos, where he is the most-used outfield player this year. According to Globo.com, he has featured in 46 games, behind only goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão on 50.

He has come off the bench in 23 of those outings, operating as Neymar’s stand-in during the World Cup call-up and his latest right thigh injury. That usage has effectively made him Cuca’s 12th man.

Since Neymar’s most recent absence, Rollheiser started both Atlético-MG ties in the Copa Sul-Americana and league matches against Cruzeiro and Internacional. He was also set to start against Remo, but a virus ruled him out.

Across those four starts he produced one goal and one assist, and influenced key moments. He fashioned the move and pass to Gabigol, who won a penalty in the Brasileirão win over Internacional.

This year he has five goals and five assists. It is his best return since 2023 with Estudiantes, when he registered 12 goals and seven assists in 57 games.

With Gabriel Bontempo away with Brazil for friendlies in this Data Fifa, Rollheiser should lead Santos’ build-up in the clássico against São Paulo, a rearranged matchday 21 fixture. It is at Morumbis on the 2nd at 20:00, Brasília time. A win would cut the gap to Bahia in fifth to five points, keeping alive a route into the pré-Libertadores.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”