This Monday (5), Gabriel Barbosa was officially presented as Santos’ new reinforcement. The striker revealed at Alvinegro Praiano belongs to Cruzeiro and is on loan to Peixe until the end of 2026.
After his second spell at , in 2018, Gabigol had some controversial moments with the fans. Last year, during Santos’ 3-0 defeat of Cruzeiro, Gabi was the target of criticism from Peixe fans. During this Monday’s press conference, in Vila Belmiro, he revealed that he does not hold any grudges and understands the fans.
“About what happened in Vila (provocation), it’s completely natural. They were defending Santos. I’m from Santos, I’ve been there a lot in (Torcida) Jovem and I cursed many players who left and came to play here”, said Gabriel.
“I defended another team and everyone knows my characteristics as a person, as a human being. I’m not the type of player who will insult me and I’ll get down. What happened here was with just one person, it wasn’t with Santos. Every time I had the opportunity to show my affection for Santos, I did it”, he reinforced.
“Now, it’s work. What I can promise the fans is commitment and dedication, it’s something I’ve always done. I hope the fans understand that things have passed and now we’re here, together, with the aim of putting Santos where it deserves”, he added.
Gabigol is loaned by Cruzeiro to Santos
Santos announced last Saturday (3) the signing of Gabigol, who played for Cruzeiro in 2025. The 29-year-old player signed a season-long loan contract.
Of the 49 games in which he took to the field in 2025 for Raposa, the athlete started 23. In total, he scored 13 goals and distributed four assists. Gabigol lost space in the team due to the arrival of coach Leonardo Jardim and the rise of Kaio Jorge.
This is Gabigol’s third spell at Santos. A boy from Vila, the striker played for the club between 2013 and 2018. The player moved to Europe and played for Internazionale-ITA and Benfica-POR. He has also played for the Brazilian national team.
