“Feels like coming home”: Dória thrilled with São Paulo move | OneFootball

The defender Matheus Dória is back with the Tricolor! São Paulo has secured the return of the 31-year-old player, who was at Atlas in Mexico, with a contract valid until December 31, 2027 – with the possibility of renewal for another season.

The operation has no transfer cost for the Tricolor, as the athlete terminated his contract with the Mexican team at the beginning of the year. Thus, São Paulo becomes the holder of 90% of Dória's economic rights, with Dória retaining the remaining 10%.

The defender played for the São Paulo team from February to July 2015, on loan from Olympique de Marseille, France, after standing out at Botafogo and the Brazilian National Team's youth teams.

At that time, he formed a defensive duo, believe it or not, with Rafael Tolói, who is also part of the Tricolor squad today. In total, he scored two goals in 18 matches for the Morumbi club.

“I am very happy to be able to return to São Paulo. It feels like coming home. I thank the fans for their support on social media and for the affection in 2015 during my first stint. I will work hard to help São Paulo,” said Dória.

“The arrival of Dória, a left-footed defender, fulfills a need we had in the squad for our defense. In a season with many games close to each other, this signing will help us a lot. We are not standing still. Our work to seek reinforcements for this season continues with total focus on what the team needs,” said president Julio Casares.

Dória is the third confirmed reinforcement for São Paulo this season. Before him, goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and midfielder Danielzinho joined. The club also has an agreement signed with Lucas Ramon, but the right-back is expected to arrive only after the end of his contract with Mirassol in April.

CAREER

Matheus Dória Macedo was born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, and stood out from a young age in the youth categories of Botafogo, where he made his professional debut, won the Carioca Championship in 2013, and was elected the best defender of the competition.

The player also had a successful and prominent trajectory with the Brazilian National Team's youth teams, such as in the two-time championship of the Toulon Tournament in 2013 and 2014 – in the first victory, he was elected the best defender of the tournament.

In 2015, Dória joined the Tricolor on loan from Olympique de Marseille. In his first stint with São Paulo, the defender played in 18 games and scored twice.

After leaving the São Paulo team, the defender was loaned to Granada, Spain, and then played for Olympique de Marseille before being loaned to Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey.

After his experience in European football, Dória was transferred to Santos Laguna, Mexico, a club he played for from 2018 to 2024. In 2021, during the campaign that resulted in the club's runner-up finish, he was elected the best defender of the Mexican championship.

In 2024, the player moved to Atlas (MEX), a club he played for until this return to the Tricolor.

THE NEGOTIATION

Dória's arrival has been highlighted due to the player's fondness for the club. And perhaps this is the most perfect definition we could make, given the history of everything involved in the deal.

Revealed by Botafogo, Dória has been looking for a club to return to Brazilian football after seven years in Mexican football since the beginning of December. And one of his first targets was São Paulo.

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR found that the former São Paulo player and his staff approached the Morumbi club at least twice last month to inquire if there was interest. But the answer was negative. And there is a reason for that. Besides the probable payment for the release. Even though a left-footed defender was a market priority, the main target, at the request of coach Hernán Crespo, was Gastón Ávila, who played the last Brazilian Championship for Fortaleza.

And here, an important note is needed. São Paulo was really optimistic about signing the Argentine. And there were reasons for that. The negotiation with Ávila's agent was quick. There was interest in staying in Brazil and playing for the Tricolor. But along the way, there was Ajax, the owner of the player's rights. And the Dutch never showed any willingness to make things easier (learn more by clicking here).

The year turned, and Crespo returned to work, demanding the arrival of the left-footed defender. And, before the institutional crisis São Paulo is going through with the allegations against president Julio Casares, coupled with the total lack of investment capacity, options scouted by the Tricolor didn't even agree to start conversations. Except, of course, Dória.

The defender even tried to move on after São Paulo's refusal. He negotiated with Internacional and Fluminense. With the latter, he was very close to signing definitively, as now, but the opportunity to bring one of Mirassol's highlights last year, Jemmes, a name also scouted by the Tricolor, made the Rio de Janeiro team withdraw from the talks.

We can say that, and here with all due respect to Dória, without being able to evaluate other alternatives, it was decided to go with him. A market opportunity, as they say.

It cannot be said that Dória does not like São Paulo. He agreed to negotiate again, even after previous refusals, and went further: he insisted with his representatives that he accepts receiving less than requested, as he wants to play for the Tricolor club. At this moment, money is precisely the only thing separating the parties.

DÓRIA

Full name: Matheus Dória Macedo Date of birth: 11/08/1994 (31 years old) Place of birth: São Gonçalo (RJ) Position: Defender Height: 1.89m

Clubs: Botafogo (2009-2014), Olympique de Marseille (2014), São Paulo (2015), Granada (2016/16), Olympique de Marseille (2016-2018), Yeni Malatyaspor (2018), Santos Laguna (2018-2024), Atlas (2024-2026), and São Paulo (since 2026)

Titles: Taça Guanabara (2013), Taça Rio (2013), Campeonato Carioca (2013), Toulon Tournament (2013), Valais Cup U-20 (2013), Toulon Tournament (2014), China U-21 International Tournament (2014)

Awards: Best Defender of the Campeonato Carioca (2013), Best Defender of the Toulon Tournament U-20 (2013), Best Player of the Valais Cup U-20 (2013), and Best Defender of the Mexican Championship (2021)

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