Júnior Santos was one of the names in the squad that experienced Botafogo's collapse in 2023 and also suffered a serious injury in 2024. However, the attacker has already overcome both facts and has the chance to end the magical season in 2024. In addition to the possibility of winning the Libertadores cup, the striker could be the competition's top scorer for the first time in history in his career.
Júnior Santos has nine goals for Botafogo in the Libertadores, but Paulinho, from Atlético, is right behind with seven goals. Even though “Jacaré” is not a starter, he is still one of the team's hopes for goals, especially in the second half.
The number 11 fell in favor with the fans in the preliminary stages of the Libertadores. In the best moment of his career, Júnior Santos shone in the four games of the competition between February and March. In total, he scored eight goals in duels against Aurora, from Bolivia, and Bragantino, and was mainly responsible for getting Botafogo back into the group stage, which hadn't happened since 2017.
Injury hampers season
In July, Júnior Santos suffered a fractured tibia in the match against Internacional, in the Brasileirão, and was left out of the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Libertadores. At the time, he was Botafogo's top scorer with 18 goals and five assists in 41 games. The fans, after all, regretted the absence of the player, who was very important in the first half. However, the strength of the squad didn't make him missed so much on the field.
The attacker was therefore sidelined for two months. He returned against Grêmio, in the Brasileirão, in September. However, he was again absent due to inflammation in the tibia region. As a result, he was left out of the quarterfinals and semifinals, but saw the team advance to the final.
Júnior Santos: overcoming and searching for Eternal Glory
Having recovered from the inflammation, Júnior Santos has been playing in the second half of the matches, but has not yet managed to regain his starting position. Despite this, he has already scored in the 3-0 victory over Vasco, on November 5th, and also entered the field in the draws with Cuiabá, Atlético and Vitória, in addition to the 3-1 victory over Palmeiras, last Tuesday. on Friday (26), at Allianz Parque, for the Brasileirão.
The striker, in fact, is supported by the complicated moments that the black and white team have experienced in recent years and especially in 2023. Just like the fans, Júnior Santos is also the face of the club for his overcoming and strength to be present in the Libertadores decision.
“The Botafogo fans are also an inspiration, they went through several difficulties, it’s similar to my trajectory, they never gave up. He's supporting the team, which is getting back on its feet. The Botafogo fans are overcoming, they are strength. Just like it happened in my life, I believe that the end will be better than the beginning. I send this message to the wonderful fans, who never stopped dreaming and never gave up,” he told ESPN.
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