/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.umdoisesportes.com.br%2Fmain%2F2026%2F04%2Falex-decola-athletic.jpg "Champion with Coritiba becomes leader at Alex’s club in Series B")
The right-back Zecachampion of Series B with the Coritibawants to maintain the reputation of ‘king of access’ and leads the Athletic during the Second Division of the Brazilian Championship. The 32-year-old player is one of the highlights of the team led by Alex de Souza, who is fighting for an unprecedented place in the elite.
Zeca won three consecutive access to Série A with Vitória, in 2023, and Mirassol, the following year. Last season, the full-back was an important part of the squad led by Mozart. He played in 33 of the 38 rounds of Series B, contributed one assist and played on both flanks.
At Athletic, the player played in 14 of the 15 rounds of the Second Division and was important in the 1-0 victory over Avaí in the last round. He was responsible for assisting Ecuadorian striker Dixon Vera’s goal, almost in stoppage time of the second half.
Zeca’s good performance earned him much praise from Alex, who did not hide his admiration for the player’s career. “You have to look at Zeca’s story. He is a reference for everyone in the group. On the first day I had with Zeca, I said that I had the opportunity and failed to become an Olympic champion, while he is an Olympic champion. I have deep respect for Olympic champion athletes. I have respect for any type of athlete, now if you reach Olympic level and become a medalist, you already have my respect greater than normal”, he highlighted.
“He’s a guy who helps a lot, has a lot of understanding. He’s the most experienced along with Polli and the two Jhonatans, the defender and the goalkeeper, who help the kids to develop”, added Alex.
Athletic is in 9th place, with 22 points, just three points behind Operário, who today would qualify for the elite access playoffs. In the next round, the team from the interior of Minas Gerais will have a direct confrontation with Fantasma.
Zeca asked to renew with Coritiba
After the 2-1 victory over Amazonas, which guaranteed last year’s Series B title, Zeca gave an interview on the lawn of the Carlos Zamith stadium and starred in a relaxed scene by “framing” the football executive Jorge Andrade on the lawn. With the microphones capturing the moment, the then number 73 joked with the manager and stated that he wanted to remain at the club in 2026.
In a festive mood, Andrade responded in a good-humored way. “He [Zeca] is saying he wants to renew. But anyway, let’s enjoy the party. Congratulations to everyone, it was a very hard year, with a lot of work. This group represents the Coritiba fans”, said the executive at the time.
Despite the public conversation and good performance on the field, the renewal did not happen. The departure of coach Mozart and the reformulation of planning for the following season weighed on the board’s decision.