Veríssimo hails Santos academy defenders: "Brilliant careers await"

In partnership with

Gazeta Esportiva.com

·18 Maret 2026

Veríssimo hails Santos academy defenders: "Brilliant careers await"

Presented this Tuesday, defender Lucas Veríssimo returned to Santos after six years away from Vila Belmiro. In addition to talking about his return and partnership with Luan Peres, the player highlighted two promising talents in the Alvinegro Praiano's defensive system: defenders Ananias and João Alencar, aged 19 and 18, respectively.

Ananias joined Santos in 2018, when he was just 11 years old, and has impressed in all youth categories since then. The defender was recently called up to the Under-20 National Team and is part of the professional squad during training. Meanwhile, João Alencar has been a "Menino da Vila" since 2017, when he was just 10 years old. The defender is also a starter in the Under-20 team and has been accumulating starting positions in the Peixe's youth system since he was 16.

Video OneFootball

“I have already trained with them (Ananias and Alencar). I could see that they have a good mindset and I think that's the way to go. Be patient, work hard, and be resilient… If you are 1% unfocused, it will harm you,” said Lucas Veríssimo, who was unveiled by Santos in 2016.

When he was unveiled, Veríssimo had the company of David Braz and Gustavo Henrique as experienced voices in the locker room, and now the defender will be the leader of the new defensive generation at Santos. At 30 years old, the defender returned to Santos after stints at Benfica-POR, Al Duhail-CAT, Al Wakrah-CAT, and Corinthians.

Veríssimo continued to praise the youth defenders and sees a bright future for Ananias and João Alencar. “They have to give their all in training so that when the opportunity arises, I'm sure they will seize it and have brilliant careers,” he concluded.