Vegetti’s goal drought and frustration, manager backs him at Vasco

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Papo na Colina

·2 October 2025

Vegetti’s goal drought and frustration, manager backs him at Vasco

The striker Pablo Vegetti, from Vasco da Gama, is living a paradox that has sparked intense debate. While he holds the title of top scorer in Brazilian football in 2025, the Argentine is going through his worst phase at the club. A long goal drought in open play, combined with a scene of frustration on the bench, has put the captain's status in question, forcing coach Fernando Diniz to publicly defend him.

+ Vasco: Understand why Vegetti left the field early against Cruzeiro

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Drought in open play has lasted 12 matches

The numbers reveal the delicate moment. Vegetti hasn’t scored a goal in open play for 12 games, since August 2, in the 3×2 loss to Mirassol. During this period, he has found the net only three times, all from penalty kicks.

The lack of “normal” goals and his lackluster performance in the defeat to Palmeiras, where he was substituted and showed clear dissatisfaction on the bench, have increased the pressure on the player.

Vegetti foi substituído e foi para o banco de reservas bastante insatisfeito. Vasco vai perdendo para o Palmeiras por 3 a 0.
– Wednesday, 1 October 2025

Vasco’s coach defends the player and cites rival as example

In the press conference, Fernando Diniz shielded his player. The coach downplayed the bad phase and compared it to the drought experienced by other great strikers, such as Hulk from Atlético-MG. Diniz stated:

“Every press conference there’s a question about Vegetti. (…) Sooner or later he’ll score. (…) When he doesn’t score, he has a very important tactical role. He has a leadership spirit. Everyone goes through this (goal drought), Hulk goes through it too.”

Fernando Diniz defended his top scorer — Photo: Thiago Ribeiro/AGIF

Top scorer in Brazil, but questioned at home

Curiously, even with this bad phase, Vegetti remains the country’s top scorer, with 24 goals. Diniz’s defense guarantees his tactical and moral importance to the team.

However, the pressure for goals and better performances is mounting. The next match, a direct clash against Vitória, will be another trial by fire for the “Pirate” to prove he is still Vasco’s main attacking reference.