Gabigol Officially Returns to Santos as Club Secures Serie A Spot with Decisive Win
Gabigol officially returns to Santos on loan from Cruzeiro, expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming season, while Santos celebrates a key Serie A win.
- • Gabigol was officially presented as a Santos player on January 5, 2026, eager to play in the Campeonato Paulista opener.
- • He returns on loan from Cruzeiro until the end of the year after last playing for Santos in 2018.
- • Santos secured their Serie A status with a 3-0 win over Cruzeiro, finishing 12th and qualifying for the Copa Sul-Americana.
- • The Brazilian football transfer market is active, with Cruzeiro, Flamengo, and Palmeiras involved in notable deals.
Key details
Gabriel Barbosa, popularly known as Gabigol, was officially presented as Santos FC's newest reinforcement on January 5, 2026. Marking a highly anticipated return, Gabigol expressed his eagerness to rejoin the club where he started his career and is ready to potentially make his on-field comeback in the upcoming Campeonato Paulista season opener against Novorizontino, pending the coach’s decision. His last appearance for Santos was in November 2018, and since then, he has played for rival teams, experiencing a complex relationship with the Santos fans, including being booed. Gabigol acknowledged this was a natural reaction and reaffirmed his commitment to helping the club moving forward.
His return to Santos is on loan from Cruzeiro until the end of the year. The transfer market surrounding Santos and other Brazilian clubs remains lively, with Cruzeiro involved in several moves including near signings and player reassignments, and Gabigol’s move from Flamengo to Santos is one of the key developments. Additionally, the recent victories and player performances have energized Santos FC; notably, in a crucial Serie A match, Santos defeated Cruzeiro 3-0, securing their spot in Brazil’s top-flight for the next season. Thaciano scored twice, and João Schmidt added another goal, ensuring Santos finished the season in 12th place and qualified for the Copa Sul-Americana.
This combination of on-field success and strategic squad reinforcement with Gabigol's return sets a positive tone for Santos as they prepare for the new season. Fans await his official game reappearance with high expectations, hoping his second stint will elevate the club’s performance in domestic competitions.
Gabigol’s presence reintroduces a familiar attacking flair while Santos builds on their recent momentum, highlighted by the decisive win to maintain their Serie A status. The broader transfer market in Brazil is also buzzing with activity, from other signings like Palmeiras securing Marlon Freitas to Cruzeiro's targeted acquisitions, illustrating a dynamic start to the year in Brazilian football.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
