Vasco to assess midfielder in Campeonato Carioca, future could be decided | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama will use the Carioca Championship as a benchmark to decide the future of Estrella in the professional squad. The midfielder turns 21 years old this Tuesday and will have, at the start of the season, a final opportunity to seek continuity at the club before a possible loan move.

The player is integrated into the group that will play the first rounds of the State Championship and is under direct evaluation by the technical committee. If he does not perform on the field, the tendency is for the management to seek a loan, aiming to offer more playing time and favor his consolidation in professional football.

Estrella returns after a series of injuries

Estrella's recent trajectory at Vasco has been marked by physical problems. The midfielder has struggled with knee injuries since 2024, which compromised his development and limited his participation last season. In 2025, he played only three matches for the main team.

The most delicate moment occurred on June 29, 2024, in the match against Botafogo, when the athlete suffered a knee injury aggravated by a congenital anatomical alteration, known as discoid variant. The condition required surgery to stabilize the meniscus, considered a complex recovery and handled cautiously by the medical department.

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Estrella in Vasco training in 2026 — Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

New intervention and caution in recovery

After recovering and rejoining at the start of the next season, Estrella was tested in training but again showed swelling and discomfort in the knee. As a result, he underwent an arthroscopy at the end of January, a procedure performed to correct the persistent problem.

Throughout 2025, the midfielder's clinical condition remained a point of attention. Competition in the squad also increased after the arrival of reinforcements in the last transfer window, further reducing his chances in the professional team. At certain times, Estrella even played for the under-20, strengthening the team in decisive matches of the category.

Loan is an option evaluated by management

Despite the competition for space, Estrella's main challenge at Vasco remains the physical aspect. The player was sidelined for more than a year, delaying his adaptation to the competitive rhythm of the main squad.

Internally, the club sees the loan as a viable option if the midfielder cannot establish himself at the start of the Carioca. The management uses recent cases of JP and Barros as successful examples.

JP was loaned to Avaí in 2025, gained continuity as a starter in Serie B, and returned to Vasco integrated into the technical committee's plans. Barros, on the other hand, went through Amazonas and América-MG before returning to the club and becoming an undisputed starter under the command of Fernando Diniz.

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Avaí vs. América-MG — Photo: Fabiano Rateke / Avaí F.C.

Carioca will be decisive for the decision

With Estrella available, Vasco kicks off the season on January 15, against Maricá, in the first round of the Carioca Championship. The midfielder's performances in the initial matches should be decisive for the decision regarding his stay or a possible loan throughout 2026.

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