Cédric loses right-back spot in first São Paulo season | OneFootball

Cédric Soares experienced his first season wearing the São Paulo jersey. The Portuguese player arrived in Brazil in January and, initially, was supposed to use the facilities at CT da Barra Funda to regain his best form after almost a year without playing an official match. However, he ended up signing a short-term contract with São Paulo to prove he was fit to perform at a high level and, perhaps, resume his career. With his contract renewed in April until the end of 2027, the Tricolor’s number 6 went through a year full of ups and downs.

The Campeonato Paulista was Cédric’s first showcase. Still lacking match fitness, the player was left out of the squad for four consecutive rounds of the State Championship. Gradually, however, he earned his place, took advantage of Igor Vinícius’s inconsistency, and started to get a run as a starter under São Paulo’s former coach, Luis Zubeldía.

Over time, Cédric Soares established himself as the starting right-back, capitalizing on the drop in form of his direct competitor, Igor Vinícius. The Portuguese handled the grueling match schedule very well, playing in 43 matches for São Paulo—more than any other player in his position. During this period, he provided three assists but did not score any goals.

However, especially towards the end of the season, the Tricolor’s number 6 saw a significant dip in performance and thus became one of the main targets of criticism from São Paulo fans. The player’s poor run led the club to seek other options for the position. In May, for example, the young Maik, until then only part of the under-20 squad, was promoted to the professional team and got his first minutes. By the end of August, Maílton was signed to provide yet another alternative.

After his poor run, the 34-year-old Portuguese was dropped from Hernán Crespo’s starting lineup and made way for Cotia academy graduate Maik, who shone and had his contract renewed until 2028. In ten matches, the São Paulo revelation scored two goals and provided two assists, leading the ranking of under-20 defenders in goal involvements in the Brasileirão.

Now, it remains to be seen what Cédric’s role will be in 2026. With a contract until 2027 and internal support, the Portuguese player will have to make the most of the next pre-season to regain his place and show he can still be useful to the squad. Maik’s rise has changed the scenario at right-back, and the competition is set to remain fierce at São Paulo.

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