Big names in Brazilian football have not yet signed contracts for the upcoming season.
January is a busy month for Brazilian football. Although most of the month doesn’t feature active matches – state championships resume in the second half of the month – it is a period marked by many transfers and moves as clubs strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. Get all the best football updates at football score ai.
With the final decisions being made, many players parted ways with their high-profile contracts at the end of 2024, either due to their advanced age or high salaries. This is also the reason why signing these players can be challenging. Here’s a list of experienced and successful athletes who have yet to find a new club for 2025:
David Luiz
The multi-champion center-back, with stints in the Brazilian national team, joined Flamengo in 2021 and amassed several titles with the club. Highlights include winning the Libertadores, Carioca, and back-to-back Copa do Brasil titles. Due to his advanced age, the club decided not to renew the contract of the 37-year-old, which expired at the end of 2024. He has received inquiries from Cruzeiro and Vasco, but has yet to decide his next destination.
Marcelo
The five-time Champions League winner returned to Fluminense in 2023 and claimed the Libertadores, Carioca, and Recopa Sudamericana titles with the club that raised him. There was an expectation for a contract renewal to enable him to play in the Super World Club Cup in June. However, a disagreement with coach Mano Menezes led to a contract termination. Marcelo has been approached by Cruzeiro but hasn’t yet finalized his future.
Diego Costa
The Spain naturalized striker has played for several clubs since returning to Brazil, including Atlético-MG, Botafogo, and most recently, Grêmio. At 36, he struggled to secure a starting spot and made only a few appearances, with a rather low-profile spell at the southern club that ended in December when his contract expired.
Fernandinho
The defensive midfielder, a two-time World Cup participant with Brazil and with a solid European career, returned to Athletico-PR, the club that raised him, in 2022. He was a two-time Campeonato Paranaense champion and a vice-champion in the Libertadores. However, after the club’s relegation to Serie B, the directors decided not to renew the 39-year-old’s contract, which took him by surprise.
Felipe Melo
Felipe Melo’s victorious tenure at Fluminense ended on December 31, 2024, with the expiration of his contract. A two-time Carioca champion, Libertadores winner, and Recopa champion, the 41-year-old midfielder/center-back sought to renew his contract to participate in the Super World Club Cup in June. However, the club chose not to offer him an extension due to his below-average performances in 2024. Stay on top of the game with BBscore football.
