Football can be a cruel game, especially when luck turns its back on you. Just ask Fortaleza, a team currently near the bottom of the Brasileirão Série A standings. In their last match, a tough 1-0 loss to rival Ceará, their goalkeeping situation went from bad to worse. What started as a warm-up injury quickly turned into a full-blown crisis, leaving them in urgent need of new hands.
Their regular starting goalkeeper, João Ricardo, was hurt before the whistle even blew. Then, his replacement, Brenno, also suffered an injury during the game. Both players fractured fingers, meaning they will be out of action for several weeks. This double blow left Fortaleza scrambling for a solution, and fast.
This desperate search opened a door for Vinicius Silvestre, a 31-year-old goalkeeper. Vinicius was already looking for a new club. He recently parted ways with Portimonense, where he had a contract until June 2026. However, he wasn’t in Portimonense’s plans for the upcoming 2025/26 season. This sudden need at Fortaleza presented a perfect match for all involved.
Vinicius started his career at Palmeiras before joining Portimonense. Over two seasons there, he played 51 official matches. This included 14 games in the top league and 30 in the second division. He also appeared in four Portugal Cup matches, two League Cup games, and one playoff game for promotion. Now, he steps into an immediate challenge, ready to help Fortaleza steady their ship.