Thiago Mendes emerges as Vasco leader after key departures | OneFootball

After captains Vegetti and Coutinho left and Rayan was sold, Thiago Mendes has emerged as a leader at Vasco.

The midfielder arrived midway through last year and started quietly. According to Globo.com, he struggled for fitness after his spell in Qatar and trailed team-mates in several metrics.

He cemented his place in late November, starting the 5-1 win over Internacional and keeping his spot thereafter. He was pivotal against Fluminense in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals and among the standouts in the final.

In 2026 he has maintained that level, one of the side’s most consistent performers despite a poor run. His influence has grown on and off the pitch. Against Santos he was the oldest starter at 33, with the team’s average age 25.

Experience is not lacking. Mendes spent six seasons in France with Lyon and Lille, and has more than 140 Brasileirão appearances for São Paulo and Goiás.

Vasco face Fluminense at the Maracanã on Sunday at 18:00 Brasília time. Having missed the first leg of the semi-finals, a 1-0 defeat, Mendes is back to try to push for a place in the final.

Source: Globo.com