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Jeffinho
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Jefferson Ruan Pereira dos Santos (born 30 December 1999), commonly known as Jeffinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Botafogo.
Key Information
Career
[edit]Resende
[edit]Jeffinho began his career at Resende after playing youth football for Pelé Academia, which had a partnership with the club.[1] He made his first team debut on 28 June 2020, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring his team's second in a 2–0 Campeonato Carioca away win over Madureira.[2]
Jeffinho continued to feature sparingly for Resende before moving to Gama on loan for the 2021 Série D. Back to his parent club, he impressed during the 2022 Carioca.
Botafogo
[edit]On 12 April 2022, Jeffinho moved to Botafogo on loan;[3] initially assigned to the B-team, Jeffinho was called up to the first team squad of Bota by manager Luís Castro in June 2022.[4] He made his main squad – and Série A – debut on 19 June, replacing Renzo Saravia late into a 3–2 away success over Internacional.[5]
On 26 August 2022, Jeffinho signed a permanent three-year contract with Bota.[6]
Lyon
[edit]On 31 January 2023, Jeffinho joined Ligue 1 club Lyon for a fee of €10 million, signing a contract until June 2027 with the French club.[7]
On 28 February 2023, for his first start with Lyon, he scored his first goal, during a quarter-final of the Coupe de France against Grenoble.[8]
On 3 June 2023, Jeffinho scored his first Ligue 1 goal in a game against Nice.[9]
Return to Botafogo
[edit]On 5 January 2024, Lyon sent Jeffinho back to Botafogo on loan until the end of 2024.[10]
On 31 December 2024, his move to Botafogo was made permanent for a reported transfer fee of €5.3 million.[11]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 15 June 2025[12]
| Club | Season | League | State league[a] | National cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Resende | 2020 | Carioca | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 2021 | — | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | 9 | 2 | ||||||
| 2022 | — | 14 | 2 | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | — | 25 | 5 | — | — | — | 25 | 5 | ||||||
| Gama (loan) | 2021 | Série D | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||||
| Botafogo | 2022 | Série A | 24 | 2 | — | 2 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 2 | |||
| Lyon | 2022–23 | Ligue 1 | 9 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 10 | 2 | |||
| 2023–24 | Ligue 1 | 10 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 19 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 20 | 3 | |||||
| Botafogo (loan) | 2024 | Série A | 7 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4[c] | 1 | — | 19 | 5 | |
| Botafogo | 2025 | Série A | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[c] | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Career total | 58 | 5 | 33 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 105 | 15 | ||
- ^ Includes Campeonato Carioca
- ^ Includes Copa do Brasil, Coupe de France
- ^ a b Appearances in Copa Libertadores
- ^ Appearance in Recopa Sudamericana
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "#EntrevistaVAVEL: Jeffinho, do Resende, valoriza importância da Pelé Academia em sua formação" [#InterviewVAVEL: Jeffinho, from Resende, plays up importance of Pelé Academia on his formation] (in Brazilian Portuguese). VAVEL. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Com gols de jovens da base, Resende vence o Madureira pelo Carioca" [With goals from youth graduates, Resende defeat Madureira in the Carioca] (in Brazilian Portuguese). R7.com. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Botafogo acerta com mais dois jogadores do Resende por empréstimo até o fim de 2022" [Botafogo sign two more Resende players on loan until the end of 2022] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Destaque nos treinos do time B, Jeffinho é chamado para treinar com os profissionais do Botafogo" [Spotlight on B-team's trainings, Jeffinho is called up to train with the main squad of Botafogo] (in Brazilian Portuguese). FogãoNet. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Botafogo conquista virada heroica sobre o Internacional" [Botafogo achieve epic comeback over Internacional] (in Brazilian Portuguese). R7.com. 19 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Botafogo anuncia contratação de Jeffinho" [Botafogo announce the signing of Jeffinho] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ "Arrivée de Jeffinho à l'OL jusqu'au 30 juin 2027" [Jeffinho arrives at OL until 30 June 2027] (in French). ol.fr. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ "L'OL bat Grenoble et file en demi de la Coupe de France - Jeffinho et Barcola buteurs". Eurosport. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Nice 3-1 OL, Ligue 1 : résumé du match". L'Équipe (in French). 3 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "De volta para casa" [Back home] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Botafogo. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "Jeffinho rejoint définitivement Botafogo" (in French). Olympique Lyonnais. 31 December 2024.
- ^ Jeffinho at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
External links
[edit]- Profile at the Olympique Lyonnais website
Jeffinho
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing in Volta Redonda
Jefferson Ruan Pereira dos Santos, professionally known as Jeffinho, was born on 30 December 1999 in Volta Redonda, a city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[1] Volta Redonda, often called Brazil's "Steel City," developed around the Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) steel mill established in 1941, fostering a predominantly working-class population tied to heavy industry and manufacturing.[10] Jeffinho grew up in this environment, where economic opportunities were largely centered on industrial labor, reflecting the modest circumstances of many local families. His family background was marked by financial hardships typical of the area's working-class roots; his mother worked to provide for the household, and Jeffinho relied on her transport card for daily needs during his early years.[11] No public details are available regarding siblings or his father's occupation. In his early childhood, Jeffinho's interest in sports was shaped by the vibrant local community in Volta Redonda, where he played informally with friends from neighboring areas on weekends, building foundational skills and enthusiasm amid everyday neighborhood interactions.[11] School life complemented this, as he navigated education alongside these casual activities, instilling discipline in a setting where football was a popular outlet for youth in the industrial locale. This period laid the groundwork for his later entry into organized youth football training.Youth football development
Jeffinho began organized football at age 12 with the local club Nova Esperança in Volta Redonda.[11] His youth football development primarily occurred at Pelé Academia, a structured program in Volta Redonda focused on nurturing emerging talents through technical training and competitive exposure. Affiliated with the academy from an early stage, he benefited from its emphasis on foundational skills, which laid the groundwork for his progression in the sport.[12] The partnership between Pelé Academia and Resende FC was key to his advancement, enabling a seamless transition into the club's youth system. This collaboration provided access to advanced facilities and coaching, allowing Jeffinho to refine his abilities in a professional environment.[5][13] In youth tournaments and training sessions, Jeffinho's basic technical proficiencies, such as dribbling and speed, began to stand out, earning him recognition among coaches and peers. These attributes, developed under the academy's guidance, positioned him for a senior debut with Resende in 2020.[12]Club career
Resende and early loans
Jeffinho made his senior professional debut for Resende on 28 June 2020, entering as a second-half substitute and scoring the second goal in a 2–0 Campeonato Carioca victory away to Madureira.[12] This performance marked a promising start following his progression from the club's youth ranks.[1] During his time at Resende from 2020 to 2022, Jeffinho accumulated 25 appearances and scored 5 goals across various competitions, primarily in the Campeonato Carioca.[14] In 2021, to gain further experience, Jeffinho was loaned to Gama for the Série D season, where he made 5 appearances without scoring.[15] The move aimed to provide him with regular playing time in a competitive environment outside Rio de Janeiro.[1] Jeffinho's breakthrough came during the 2022 Campeonato Carioca, where his dynamic performances on the wing drew attention for their pace and creativity, including key contributions in matches that advanced Resende in the tournament.[12]Botafogo (first stint)
Jeffinho joined Botafogo on loan from Resende on 12 April 2022, initially assigned to the reserve team before earning promotion to the senior squad under manager Luís Castro.[16] His prior experience at Resende, where he developed versatility across forward positions, facilitated a smooth adaptation to the club's attacking setup. During the initial loan phase, he featured in 10 appearances, scoring 1 goal and demonstrating his pace and dribbling on the flanks.[17] On 26 August 2022, Botafogo converted the loan into a permanent three-year deal, recognizing his growing impact without a disclosed transfer fee from Resende. In the 2022 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Jeffinho became a regular contributor, making 24 appearances with 1,604 minutes played, 2 goals, and 3 assists, aiding Botafogo's mid-table finish in 11th place.[18] Notable moments included an assist in a 2-1 victory over Ceará in October 2022, highlighting his ability to create chances from the left wing. Extending into early 2023, Jeffinho added 9 appearances and 1 goal in the Campeonato Carioca, bringing his first-stint totals to 33 appearances, 3 goals, and 3 assists across competitions.[17] His rising form, characterized by direct runs and precise crosses, drew European interest, culminating in a permanent departure to Olympique Lyonnais on 31 January 2023 for a reported €10 million fee.[1]Olympique Lyonnais
On 31 January 2023, Jeffinho transferred from Botafogo to Olympique Lyonnais for a fee of €10 million, signing a contract until June 2027.[5] The move marked his entry into European football, where his dribbling skills honed at Botafogo were expected to aid his transition to Ligue 1.[19] During the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons, Jeffinho made 19 appearances for Lyon across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist.[20] Key milestones included his first goal for the club on 28 February 2023, a strike in a 2–1 Coupe de France quarter-final victory over Grenoble Foot 38, where he started and scored the second goal, assisted by Tagliafico, before being substituted at halftime due to injury.[21] His first Ligue 1 goal came on 3 June 2023, equalizing in the 41st minute during a 3–1 away loss to OGC Nice. Jeffinho faced challenges adapting to the faster pace of French football, which he described as not always easy despite support from teammates and staff.[22] Injuries hampered his progress, including an ankle issue that sidelined him for three weeks in early 2023 and a knock sustained during his debut goal against Grenoble.[23] Under successive coaches including Paulo Fonseca and Pierre Sage (from December 2023), he experienced limited rotation and struggled to secure a regular starting role, often featuring as a substitute due to inconsistent impact.[6] Performance reviews highlighting his adaptation difficulties and sparse playing time prompted Lyon to loan Jeffinho back to Botafogo on 5 January 2024, until 31 December 2024, to facilitate further development.[24][6]Botafogo (return)
Jeffinho rejoined Botafogo on loan from Olympique Lyonnais on 5 January 2024, returning to the club where he had previously made his professional breakthrough.[25] During the loan spell through the end of 2024, he featured in 19 matches across all competitions, contributing 5 goals that helped bolster the team's attacking options during a pivotal season.[26] His performances included 4 appearances in the Copa Libertadores, where Botafogo secured the title, marking a significant achievement in the club's history.[14][27] On 31 December 2024, Lyon finalized Jeffinho's permanent transfer to Botafogo for a fee of €5.3 million, with the club retaining a 30% sell-on clause for any future move.[7][28] The deal, effective from 3 January 2025, came after Jeffinho's successful reintegration into the squad, where his experience from European football added maturity to his dynamic playing style. In the 2025 season, he has continued to play a rotational role in Botafogo's title-challenging campaign, recording 15 appearances, 2 goals, and 4 assists in Série A as of November, alongside 4 appearances in the Copa Libertadores without scoring.[26][29] Jeffinho's return has strengthened Botafogo's depth in wide areas, supporting their ambitions in domestic and continental competitions, with fans appreciating his familiarity and contributions to the 2024 triumphs. Signed through 31 December 2028, he is viewed as a long-term asset for the club's ongoing project under coach Artur Jorge.[1][6]International career
Youth international appearances
Jeffinho has not represented Brazil at the youth international level, with no recorded caps or call-ups for the national youth teams, including the under-20 side.[1] Despite his promising performances in club youth competitions, there are no documented invitations to national training camps or participation in CONMEBOL youth events during the 2018–2021 period. This lack of youth international exposure has not hindered his progression to senior club football, where his development has been driven primarily through domestic leagues and loans.[30]Senior international career
As of November 2025, Jeffinho has not received any call-ups to the Brazil senior national team and holds zero international caps.[31] Despite consistent performances upon his return to Botafogo in 2024 and into 2025—where he has featured in over 20 matches, scoring key goals and providing assists in the Campeonato Brasileiro—Jeffinho has yet to break into the senior setup.[32] His form following a challenging loan at Olympique Lyonnais has drawn attention from domestic analysts, who view his speed, dribbling, and directness as assets that could earn him future consideration if he maintains consistency.[33] In January 2024, Jeffinho publicly expressed his ambition to represent Brazil at the senior level, inspired by recent call-ups of Botafogo teammates like Lucas Perri and Adryelson, stating he aims to pursue all opportunities while prioritizing club success.[34] However, the winger position remains fiercely competitive, dominated by high-profile talents such as Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and Rodrygo, who featured prominently in Brazil's 2025 squads for World Cup qualifiers and friendlies.[35]Playing style
Positional attributes
Jeffinho primarily operates as a left winger, leveraging his right-footed preference to cut inside and create scoring opportunities from the flank.[1] His versatility allows him to deploy on the right wing or as an attacking midfielder, adapting to various attacking setups depending on the team's needs.[26] Standing at 1.76 meters with an agile, athletic build, his frame supports explosive speed and quick directional changes, ideal for speed-based play in wide areas.[12] He often starts wide before moving centrally to link play or shoot, emphasizing his role in chance creation through one-on-one duels.[36] This reflects his role as a dynamic wide forward, with potential for tactical awareness developed through experience in both Brazilian and European leagues.[12]Key strengths and comparisons
Jeffinho is renowned for his exceptional dribbling ability, which allows him to navigate tight spaces and beat defenders using a variety of feints, tricks, and rapid changes of direction, making him one of the most entertaining wingers to watch in Brazilian football.[12][36] His speed on the ball further enhances this strength, enabling quick accelerations that create separation from opponents and opportunities to drive forward. Additionally, Jeffinho demonstrates strong key passing and crossing accuracy, particularly when cutting back from the byline to deliver precise balls into dangerous areas, contributing to his assist tally.[36] Off the ball, he contributes defensively through tackling and short passes in transitions, with recent performances (as of 2025) showing improved positional discipline.[12][36] Despite these attributes, Jeffinho has notable weaknesses that limit his overall impact. His finishing remains inconsistent, often scuffing shots or making suboptimal decisions in the final third, such as opting to shoot in crowded situations rather than passing to open teammates.[12] He also struggles in aerial duels due to his modest height of 1.76 meters, which hampers his effectiveness in contested headers or set-piece scenarios.[12] Furthermore, his tendency to hold onto the ball too long can lead to turnovers, reflecting occasional lapses in decision-making under pressure.[36] Analysts have praised his potential, with scout Calum Scullion describing him as "one of the best dribblers I have seen," highlighting a ceiling that could see him succeed among pacey forwards if he refines his end product (as of 2022).[12] Following his return to Botafogo in 2024, Jeffinho has demonstrated ongoing development, contributing 2 goals and 4 assists in 16 Série A appearances during the 2025 season, with a 67.5% dribble success rate underscoring his continued reliance on flair in a team-oriented system.[26][36]Personal life
Family and background
Jeffinho, born Jefferson Ruan Pereira dos Santos on December 30, 1999, hails from the Três Poços neighborhood in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, a community known for its working-class roots in Brazil's industrial heartland. His upbringing in this environment instilled a strong sense of humility and connection to his Brazilian heritage, where family and local ties remain central to his identity.[37] His immediate family includes his mother, Roselene, who has been a pivotal figure in his life, and three sisters: Joyce, Joycielle, and Jhulyenne. No public details are available regarding his father or any siblings' involvement in sports, reflecting the family's preference for privacy amid Jeffinho's rising profile. Roselene has publicly expressed pride in her son's grounded nature, describing him as "the same boy from Três Poços" despite his professional successes.[37] The family has played a crucial role in supporting Jeffinho's career decisions, particularly during his transition to Europe. When he secured a loan move to Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, Roselene shared her emotional response—tears of joy mixed with sadness over the distance—and revealed plans to join him in France to provide ongoing care and stability. This support system underscores the close-knit dynamics that have influenced his path from local youth football in Volta Redonda to international stages, while he continues to emphasize maintaining his family-oriented lifestyle away from the spotlight.[37][38]Interests and philanthropy
Jeffinho is described as maintaining a humble and grounded lifestyle despite his professional success in football, with his mother emphasizing that he remains "the same boy as always" even after his move to Europe.[37] Little is publicly known about Jeffinho's specific hobbies or philanthropic endeavors outside of his career, as he tends to keep his personal life private. No verified reports of involvement in youth football programs or community donations have been documented in reputable sources.Career statistics
Club career statistics
Jeffinho began his professional club career with Resende in the Brazilian lower divisions, where he showcased early promise as a winger. Over two seasons from 2020 to 2022, he accumulated 25 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 5 assists across state leagues and cups, helping the team in the Campeonato Carioca. During this period, he also had a brief loan to Sociedade Esportiva do Gama in 2021, making 5 appearances with 0 goals and 0 assists in Série D.[4] His breakthrough came during his first stint at Botafogo from 2022 to 2023, initially on loan and then permanently. In 24 league appearances in Série A, he contributed 2 goals and 3 assists, with additional 2 outings in Copa do Brasil, bringing his total involvement to 26 matches and 2 goals overall for the period, establishing him as a squad player in Brazil's top flight.[20][39] Jeffinho's move to Europe with Lyon in 2023 marked a new chapter, though limited playing time restricted his impact. Across Ligue 1 and Coupe de France, he made 21 appearances, netting 3 goals and 3 assists, with 19 league outings yielding 2 goals; his performances included notable contributions in cup ties despite the team's struggles.[39] Returning to Botafogo on loan in 2024, Jeffinho enjoyed a more productive spell, scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists in 19 appearances across all competitions (including 7 in Série A with 1 goal and 1 assist) amid the club's title challenge. In his permanent second stint starting January 2025, as of November 18, 2025, he had added 25 appearances (including 16 in Série A with 2 goals and 4 assists), 2 goals, and 4 assists across competitions like Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil, bringing his club career totals to 121 appearances, 17 goals, and 17 assists. His personal best remains the 2024 season with 5 goals in all competitions.[39][20] The following table summarizes his club statistics by period (as of November 18, 2025):| Club Period | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resende (2020–2022) | 25 | 5 | 5 |
| Early loans (2021) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Botafogo (2022–2023) | 26 | 2 | 3 |
| Lyon (2023–2024) | 21 | 3 | 3 |
| Botafogo (2024–2025) | 44 | 7 | 6 |
| Total | 121 | 17 | 17 |
International career statistics
Jeffinho has not made any appearances for the Brazil senior national team as of November 18, 2025, accumulating zero caps and zero goals across all competitions, including friendlies and tournaments.[40][20] He has also recorded no caps or goals at the youth international level, such as U-20 or other age-group teams.[40][20] The following table summarizes his international career statistics by level (as of November 18, 2025):| Level | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Senior | 0 | 0 |
| Youth | 0 | 0 |
