"Nothing compares": Maicon, ex-Vasco, hails passionate Vasco fans

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·25 novembre 2025

"Nothing compares": Maicon, ex-Vasco, hails passionate Vasco fans

The defender Maicon, former Vasco player, once again praised the strength of Vasco’s fans in an interview with the Charla Podcast, released this Tuesday (25). Having had remarkable spells at clubs in Europe and Turkey, the defender did not hesitate to state: “There’s nothing like Vasco’s fans. It’s surreal.”

Even after playing for major clubs like Porto, where he stayed from 2009 to 2016, and Galatasaray, from 2017 to 2020 — two of the most passionate environments in European football — Maicon made it clear that nothing compares to the energy he experienced at São Januário.

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“Vasco’s fans, in terms of passion, were the craziest I’ve ever seen. It’s something different. They truly love the club, it’s in their roots.” he said. + “STEALING FROM THE RIVAL?”: Vasco enters the race for a R$ 92 million player Photo: Daniel Ramalho / Vasco

Comparison with Porto and Galatasaray

The defender’s words carry even more weight when compared to what he experienced in his international career.

At Porto, Maicon was a key player:

190 matches played;
11 titles, including the 2011 Europa League and three Portuguese Championships;
Voted best player of the 2012/13 season.

Even during this victorious period, according to him, Vasco’s fans stand above:

“Porto is great, Galatasaray is wonderful… but there’s nothing like Vasco’s fans.”

At Galatasaray, known for having one of the most intense fanbases in the world:

Signed in 2017 for 7 million euros;
Turkish champion in 2017/18;
Experienced historically fiery atmospheres, such as at Ali Sami Yen.

Even so, Maicon emphasized:

“The atmosphere there is strong, but the involvement of Vasco’s fans is different. It’s surreal.”

His experience at Vasco in 2023

Maicon joined Cruz-Maltino in June 2023, after starting the season at Santos. After a difficult start, he found his rhythm, improved his performance, and finished the year as a key player in the campaign that kept the club in Série A.

During that period, the defender said he was impressed by the unconditional support, especially in decisive moments.

“Many times, away from home, it felt like we were playing at São Januário. The fans were our 12th player. They made the difference at the most important moment of the year.”

The defender made direct reference to the match against Red Bull Bragantino, in the final round, when Vasco secured its place in the Brasileirão:

“Thank God and the fans, we achieved our goal.” + Vasco gets a star player back, but loses two key names Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco.

“Vasco only exists because of the fans”

During the interview, Maicon also mentioned the period of financial and institutional crisis the club went through. For him, Vasco’s strength comes precisely from the passion of its supporters: