Gabigol Revives Santos' No. 9 Legacy Amid World Cup Break

As the World Cup approaches, teams and scouts are reflecting on the season's first half. For Santos, the resurgence of Gabigol has been a bright spot, marking his return to prominence after a few challenging years.

The forward has addressed a long-standing issue for the club that emerged following Marcos Leonardo's exit at the end of 2023: the absence of a reliable number 9 to lead the scoring. During his loan spell from Cruzeiro in 2026, Gabigol has made 27 appearances, netting 14 goals and providing seven assists.

In comparison, the 29-year-old's stint at Cruzeiro saw him score 13 goals and assist four times across 49 matches. While Guilherme was Santos' top scorer in 2025 with 14 goals, he achieved this in nearly double the games played by Gabigol this season.

Between 2024 and 2025, a difficult period for Santos, more than ten different players donned the number 9 jersey, yet none could manage to score over ten goals in a single season. Gabigol's impressive performance not only signifies his return to form but also brings him closer to a significant milestone, as he currently stands at 98 goals for Santos, making him the club's third-highest scorer in the 21st century, trailing only Robinho and Neymar.

The resurgence of Gabigol highlights the importance of having a prolific striker, especially as the team looks to build momentum in the league.