Gabigol Shines for Santos, Eyes Brazil Return & Corinthians Clash

Gabigol Shines for Santos, Eyes Brazil Return & Corinthians Clash

March 11, 2026 Carlos Moreno - Sports Editor Sports

SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil – Gabriel Barbosa, commonly known as Gabigol, is finding his footing at Santos, offering a spark in a 2-2 draw against Mirassol on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old striker scored both goals for the Peixe, a performance he described as a step towards rediscovering his best form after a challenging 2025 with Cruzeiro.

The match, played at the Maião stadium, also drew the attention of Carlo Ancelotti, the newly appointed head coach of the Brazilian national team. Gabigol playfully suggested Ancelotti attend Sunday’s clássico against Corinthians, not necessarily to scout him, but to see his teammate Neymar, who was absent from Tuesday’s game.

“I’m happy with the goals,” Gabigol said in a post-match interview with Prime Video. “We always go into games intending to win, but the draw was a great result for us. Congratulations to the team and thanks to the fans. Congratulations to Brazão on his 100 games. Now, we have a clássico.”

Gabigol’s return to Santos is a loan deal from Cruzeiro, a move that followed six seasons with Flamengo where he became a pivotal figure, scoring crucial goals in the 2019 and 2022 Copa Libertadores finals. His time at Cruzeiro, although, saw him largely relegated to the bench, a situation he acknowledges required a period of readjustment.

“I think I’m getting back to my best after a difficult year at Cruzeiro, but also a year of a lot of learning,” he stated. “I’m scoring goals and I hope to improve even more.”

The question of a potential return to the Brazilian national team was also addressed. While acknowledging Ancelotti’s presence at the Mirassol match, Gabigol remained grounded, emphasizing his focus on performing for Santos.

“I prefer to think about the national team naturally, I don’t put pressure on myself,” he explained. “In my opinion, maybe in 2022 I deserved to go to the World Cup, but it didn’t happen. I always try to work and score goals to help Santos and give my best.”

With six goals in 11 appearances this season, Gabigol is demonstrating the form that made him a fan favorite at Flamengo. His impact extends beyond goals, as evidenced by his playful call for Ancelotti’s attendance at the Corinthians match, a gesture aimed at highlighting the presence of Neymar, a key figure in Brazilian football.

The upcoming clássico against Corinthians at the Vila Belmiro on Sunday represents a significant test for Santos and an opportunity for Gabigol to further solidify his resurgence. The match is scheduled for 4:00 PM local time and will pit Santos, currently 11th in the Brasileirão standings with five points, against a Corinthians side looking to climb the table.

Gabigol’s journey has been marked by periods of both triumph and adversity. From his early days at Santos, where he debuted at age 16, to his successful stint at Flamengo, and now his return to the club where it all began, his career has been a testament to his resilience and goal-scoring ability. His current form suggests he is determined to add another chapter to his story, and the fans at Vila Belmiro will be eager to witness it.