Brazão hailed by Santos fans as penalty save caps special night amid uncertain future | OneFootball

Santos reached the Copa Sudamericana play-offs with a 3-0 win over Deportivo Cuenca. Brazão saved a stoppage-time penalty and enjoyed a special night amid uncertainty over his future.

He departed to a loud ovation. According to Diario Do Peixe, Santos have weighed selling the goalkeeper in the next window and even discussed resting him against Cuenca and Vitória before the post-World Cup market, but the idea was dropped and he started.

Brazão expressed gratitude, said he would keep working game by game and stressed that Saturday brings another decisive occasion. He avoided details on selection talk, said he had felt some pain, then played.

On his future he stayed cautious, saying he will take things day by day and keep working. He is happy at the club, though he accepts a sale could help Santos financially, and he noted his role in last season’s survival in Série A.

Goalkeeping coach Arzul has returned and trusts Diógenes, Rodrigo Falcão and under-20 keeper João Pedro to step in if required. He also backs a return for João Paulo, loaned to Bahia in August last year until mid-year, but purchase targets were not met and an attempt to extend the loan was rejected.

João Paulo has also held talks with Botafogo and Corinthians. Santos are not considering dealing with Botafogo due to money still owed, while Corinthians did not interest the player out of respect for his history at Santos.

Team-mates raced to embrace Brazão at full-time, and the crowd chanted his name. From a box at Vila Belmiro, Neymar and Rodrygo came down to the pitch to join the celebrations.

Source: Diario Do Peixe