- The 22-year-old forward has earned a starting place in the 'Timão' attack and repaid Fernando Diniz's faith with a series of impressive performances in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
- His goal in the draw away to Estudiantes de La Plata means the São Paulo side will decide their quarter-final tie in front of their home support.
Kaio César's last four seasons have been shaped by moves between leagues, adaptations to new teams, cultures and languages, and spells that were as brief as they were fruitful across clubs in Brazil, Portugal and Saudi Arabia. Corinthians, the club he joined at the beginning of the year, aims to be the exception: a place where he can find continuity and confidence in one of the most demanding sporting arenas, the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
Breakthrough at Coritiba and his first international title with Brazil
At the age of 18, the Maceió-born player made his first-team debut for Coritiba in a 3-0 victory over Foz do Iguaçu on the second matchday of the Campeonato Paranaense. 2023 was not only his first season in the 'Coxa' shirt, but also the year in which he rapidly matured in top-level football.
The end of his impressive season earned him a call-up from Ramon Menezes to Brazil's Under-23 squad for the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. With the 'Canarinha', he won the title after beating the hosts on penalties in the final.
Vitória Guimarães, his first move away from home
The Portuguese club put their faith in the young Brazilian forward, and the decision quickly paid off. He was not only influential in the domestic league, but also impressed in the UEFA Conference League: during the qualifying rounds, he scored once and provided an assist; then, in the group stage, he played a key role with four assists as his side progressed unbeaten.
The numbers backed up his performances: he led his team for shots on target and duels won in the group stage, while ranking second for fouls won, assists and dribbles. By the Round of 16, Kaio César had already moved to Saudi football and was no longer with the squad, as Vitória Guimarães were eliminated by Real Betis, who would go on to lose that edition's final to English side Chelsea.
The fleeting spell at Al Hilal
The Saudi Arabian club activated his release clause and acquired the forward's registration. In a year with the Riyadh side, the Brazilian made 40 appearances, scoring four goals and providing five assists. He helped the club reach the King's Cup quarter-finals, a competition they would go on to win months later, by which point Kaio César had once again moved on.
On 25 January, he played 22 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Al Riyadh. From the stadium, he went straight to the airport after the match and boarded a flight to his new club: Corinthians, back in his native Brazil.
The 'Timão' and a new challenge
His arrival at the São Paulo club got off to a difficult start. A thigh injury kept him out of competitive action for the first three months. In April, following Fernando Diniz's appointment as the new manager in place of Dorival Júnior, Kaio César began to establish himself, putting together a run of strong performances and starting appearances.
The manager — winner of the 2023 CONMEBOL Libertadores with Fluminense — trusted the 22-year-old forward in both legs of the Round of 16 against Rosario Central and reaffirmed that faith in the first leg of the quarter-finals against Estudiantes in La Plata. His goal, early in the second half with his side trailing, not only levelled the score but was also Corinthians' first away goal in the knockout stages of the CONMEBOL Libertadores since Romarinho's strike — in the 2012 final — against Boca Juniors.
Diniz believed in Kaio César. And the player has repaid that faith. Alongside his confidence, ability to beat opponents and quick thinking, he has also shown his goalscoring touch — a crucial quality at the decisive stage of the continent's most prestigious club competition.
