See which players have improved most at Santos throughout 2025 | OneFootball

In a year of rebuilding, instability, and constant pressure for results, Santos found some of the most encouraging answers of 2025 in their youth categories. Amidst the comings and goings in the technical command and frequent changes in the starting lineup, Souza, Robinho Jr., and Bontempo stood out as players who evolved throughout the season and began to represent concrete hope for the club's future.

Robinho Jr.

The 2025 season marked the consolidation of Robinho Jr. as part of Santos' professional squad. Promoted at a very young age, the 17-year-old forward gradually gained space until he received his first opportunity as a starter in a high-stakes scenario: a classic match against Palmeiras at Allianz Parque. His performance was discreet, without decisive numbers, but left positive impressions due to his movement, intelligence without the ball, and ability to connect passes, even in a game with little possession for Peixe.

His performance pleased Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who made a point of highlighting the boy's potential and projecting medium-term growth. Mentored by Neymar and increasingly integrated into the squad, Robinho Jr. finished the year with 15 professional matches, still without goals and with one assist, but with a clear sense of competitive evolution.

Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos FC

Souza

If there was a "Menino da Vila" who ended 2025 on a different level, it was Souza. The left-back started the year as a starter under Pedro Caixinha's command but saw his trajectory interrupted prematurely by a serious ankle injury that kept him off the field for almost four months. However, his return was swift and impactful. Even after a long period away, it didn't take long for him to regain space and confidence, especially with Cléber Xavier in charge.

With the arrival of Vojvoda, Souza lost his spot again but responded on the field when given another opportunity, taking advantage of the team's instability and reestablishing himself among the starters. He finished the season as one of the team's most consistent players, standing out for his offensive support, intensity, and regularity. He played 29 matches, 22 as a starter, scoring one goal and providing two assists. His technical evolution and maturity directly reflected in the market: his value rose from 3 to 5 million euros in a few months, consolidating him as one of the most promising assets in the squad.

Souza (Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos FC)

Bontempo

Gabriel Bontempo perhaps represents the most symbolic case of internal evolution at Santos in 2025. He started the year still in the youth team, playing in the Copinha, and was quickly integrated into the professional squad, debuting in January. From there, he gained space naturally, without fanfare, but with consistent performance. The midfielder stood out for his game reading, personality, and ability to perform at a high level even in a team pressured for results.

Throughout the season, Bontempo went from being just a promise to becoming a recurring piece in the team. In total, he played 37 matches, scoring three goals and providing two assists, impressive numbers for a 20-year-old player in his first full year as a professional. More than the numbers, he drew attention for his maturity and the way he embraced the responsibility of playing alongside names like Neymar, something he himself treated as the realization of a dream.

Bontempo (Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos)

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