As the World Cup break approaches, directors and scouts are reflecting on the first half of the season.
For Santos, the standout player has been Gabigol, who has reclaimed his prominent position, which he had lost in recent years.
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Moreover, the striker has addressed an issue that has been plaguing the club since Marcos Leonardo left at the end of 2023: the absence of a reliable number 9 to lead the team’s scoring.
During his loan from Cruzeiro in 2026, Gabigol made 27 appearances for Santos, contributing 14 goals and 7 assists.
In contrast, the 29-year-old netted 13 goals and provided four assists in 49 matches for Raposa.
Guilherme, Santos’ top scorer of 2025, also managed 14 goals but did so in nearly twice the number of games compared to Gabigol that season.
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Between 2024 and 2025, in the wake of “post-Marcos Leonardo,” Santos cycled through over 10 players wearing the number 9 jersey, yet none surpassed 10 goals in a season.
As a result, not only has Gabigol demonstrated his return to form, but he has also filled the traditional role of a true number 9 at Santos, nearing 100 goals for the club (he achieved his 98th against Vitória).
Gabigol ranks as Santos’ third-highest scorer of the 21st century, trailing only Robinho (111 goals) and Neymar (156 goals).
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.