“I always see it as an opportunity” | OneFootball

Kaua Santos on an eventful 2025, his “key” cruciate knee ligament injury, his optimistic outlook on life and what he got up to over the festive period.

Kaua, how are you feeling?“I’m feeling really good at the moment and have been able to train normally and without pain for some time now. I think I’m well on the way to being my old self again after my injury. My knee isn’t causing me any problems whatsoever anymore. The best sign, I think, is that I don’t even think about it anymore and can therefore put my all into everything I do.”

You ruptured your cruciate knee ligament in April and made your comeback in September before [head coach Dino Toppmöller] changed goalkeepers in October.  How do you reflect on a rollercoaster 12 months?“It might look that way from the outside – I understand that – but I see things differently. Basically, it’s a normal situation for me. I’m young, I’ve had some good games, but I’ve also made mistakes, including easy ones. That’s perfectly clear to me and I’m focusing on what matters right now: working hard, training well and trying to be in the best possible shape at all times. Generally speaking, I’m convinced that every mistake I make can help me improve. I know what has gone well so far and where I need to get better.”

Where have you made the most progress?“The injury has influenced my way of thinking in a big way, and has actually helped me progress. I’ve started thinking even more about what’s good for my body, what I can improve in my everyday life, and how I can work even more effectively on avoiding injury – in the gym, for example. I’m feeling stronger than I did before. Rupturing my cruciate knee ligament was a key moment.”

That echoes what Dino Toppmöller says about you – you always have a smile on your face and you’re always optimistic.“I think, as Brazilians, that’s just in our blood (laughs). Seriously though, I have no reason to complain and am focusing on the bigger picture. I’m 22 years old, I’m a goalkeeper at one of Germany’s biggest clubs, I appreciate the faith shown in me by the management here, I’m part of a great goalkeeping team and have the chance to prove myself every day. I’m very grateful for these conditions and circumstances, because I know very few people are that fortunate. I’m enjoying it and always see it as an opportunity.”

How did the coach explain his decision to change goalkeepers?“It was a very open conversation with well-reasoned arguments. The coach explained that he felt it would give me time to recapture my form of old, not to mention the fact that Michael Zetterer had been playing well too. I didn’t like it at first, because everyone wants to play and I’d only just returned, but I also understood that we had to change something. Not everything had gone according to plan in our previous games. We weren’t good enough as a group. If changing goalkeepers was going to help, I had to respect the decision for the good of the team. I knew if the coach was going to make that decision, it was not to go against Kaua but for the good of Eintracht.”

What did you get up to during the winter break, and where did you spend it?“First I was in Frankfurt, then I flew to Portugal to meet up with a group of friends who are like family to me. The weather is also a bit more pleasant there. Don’t get me wrong, I like the cold to a certain extent, but the temperatures in Germany at this time of year aren’t really my thing.”

What are your goals for the new year?“They’re the same ones as 2025: work diligently, put myself in contention, stay healthy and be there for my team-mates, friends and family. In other words, I’m focusing on things which, for the most part, I’m able to control.”

Thank you, Kaua – here’s to a good week on the training pitch and a successful second half to the season!“I’d like to thank all Eintracht fans for their support in 2025, wish them a great start to 2026 and am looking forward to the coming year in Frankfurt with the eagle on my chest.”