Sports · Football · 5 hrs ago
Lucas Veríssimo injury puts João Alencar in line for Santos start
Santos defender Lucas Veríssimo has a confirmed thigh injury after leaving the game against Fluminense.
The injury adds to a defensive shortage, with Willian Arão and Escobar also sidelined.
João Alencar is the favorite to replace Veríssimo for Santos’ match against Bahia on Saturday at Vila Belmiro.
Alencar, 19, came on for Veríssimo against Fluminense and made his official first-team debut in that match.
João Ananias is the other young defender in contention, but he is left-footed like Luan Peres, and coach Cuca prefers pairing defenders with different dominant feet.
Santos has six players out with injuries across the squad, including goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão, whose return is estimated for 2027.
Cuca and his staff have three days of training to decide the lineup before the Bahia match.
Lucas Veríssimo’s thigh injury has opened a place in Santos’s defence, with João Alencar emerging as the likely replacement.
Coach Cuca said Alencar would take the opportunity if Veríssimo is injured.
Santos are preparing for a match against Bahia on Saturday, October 24, at Vila Belmiro.
João Ananias is another option, but reports say he may be at a disadvantage because he and left-footed Luan Peres both favour their left foot.
The reports differ on which thigh Veríssimo injured: LANCE! says right, while UOL says left.
- Who
- Santos defender Lucas Veríssimo is injured; João Alencar is the leading candidate to replace him.
- What
- Veríssimo’s injury has opened a place in Santos’s defence.
- When
- The injury was confirmed on Tuesday, October 20. Santos are due to play Bahia on Saturday, October 24.
- Where
- The injury occurred during Santos’s match against Fluminense at the Maracanã; the Bahia match is scheduled for Vila Belmiro.
- Why
- Veríssimo was substituted after feeling pain in his thigh.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Veríssimo was substituted during Santos’s match against Fluminense after feeling pain in his thigh.
Medical examinations confirmed Veríssimo’s injury.
Santos are scheduled to play Bahia at Vila Belmiro.
- Injured player
- Lucas Veríssimo
- Likely replacement
- João Alencar
- Other candidate
- João Ananias
- Next match
- Santos vs Bahia, October 24
- Venue
- Vila Belmiro
3 sources
What people are saying
Alencar is a fast player, a player I like very much.