Cruzeiro’s first half of 2026 was marked by heavy spending in the transfer market, totaling R$180.5 million on signings in the January window.
However, the immediate on-field return fell short of expectations: of the five players who arrived at Toca da Raposa, only one managed to establish himself as an undisputed starter in the team.
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Below is a breakdown of Raposa’s five reinforcements, according to ge.
Gerson (R$176 million): The most expensive signing in Cruzeiro’s history, the midfielder justified the investment. He became an undisputed starter under both Tite and Artur Jorge, turning into the pillar of the midfield alongside Matheus Pereira. He played in 31 of the club’s 37 matches this year.
Néiser Villarreal (No transfer fee): The young forward was the second newcomer with the most opportunities (20 matches and 4 goals). Despite being inconsistent in front of goal, he has Artur Jorge’s trust and was the hero of the 1-0 win over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores. He is currently competing for a spot with Sinisterra.
Bruno Rodrigues (Loan): He returned to the club after a direct request to SAF owner Pedro Lourenço. Loaned from Palmeiras until the end of the year, he has made 18 appearances, with one goal and two assists, serving as an option in the squad.
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Matheus Cunha (No transfer fee): Signed to be Cássio’s immediate backup, he took over in goal after the starter’s injury. However, he failed to impress: he conceded 13 goals in 12 matches, drew harsh criticism from the fans, and eventually lost his place to young Otávio, a promising academy product.
Chico da Costa (R$5.5 million): The striker is the one who has received the fewest opportunities (14 matches, only seven of them under Artur Jorge) and has yet to find the net. With little space, he is not expected to remain at the club for the second half of the year, attracting interest from other teams.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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