Souza, ex-Cruzeiro and Palmeiras, announces retirement at 38 | OneFootball

Souza, the ex-Cruzeiro and Palmeiras midfielder, has retired from professional football at 38. The decision was announced on Wednesday night on social media and surprised many supporters.

The club said in a statement that he felt this was the right moment to leave the pitch and begin a new chapter off the field. It added he will speak to the media on Friday at Arena América.

A Brazilian champion with Cruzeiro in 2013, Souza joined América-RN in 2024 and quickly forged a bond with the club and its fans. Wearing the number eight, he helped deliver three successive Potiguar titles in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

He made 90 competitive appearances for América-RN, contributing 48 goal involvements with 21 goals and 27 assists. In 2026 he played 17 matches and scored two goals.

Across a 20-year career he registered 108 goals and won nine trophies, including the Campeonato Brasileiro, Campeonato Mineiro and Campeonato Baiano, plus América-RN’s three state crowns. He also lifted silverware in Japan with Cerezo Osaka, who marked his retirement with a tribute on social media.

Source: Globo.com