Vagner Love has once again etched his name into the history books of Brazilian football as he secured the Campeonato Catarinense title in 2025 with Avaí, making him a five-time champion in the top tier of the sport. At 40 years old, Love continues to display his remarkable talent and resilience, bringing home another trophy after a stellar season.
Avaí's thrilling journey in the competition culminated in a crucial match against Chapecoense where a 1-1 draw sealed their victory. This latest win not only enhances Love's profile, uniquely intertwining with Avaí's own legacy but gives them the honor of being the greatest champions in Santa Catarina football, with a total of 19 titles, surpassing their rivals, Figueirense, who hold 18.
The celebrations erupted in the stadium after Avaí's historical win, with the players gleefully lifting the trophy while being cheered on by over 17,000 enthusiastic fans. The team commenced their campaign with a strong performance in the first phase, finishing third overall with 18 points, which came from five victories, three draws, and three losses.
In the knockout stages, Avaí faced off against their fiercest rivals, Figueirense, and triumphed in a nail-biting penalty shootout, winning 4-2. They also edged past Santa Catarina, once again proving their fortitude by emerging victorious in penalties after a 1-1 draw. This paved the way to the finals where they contested with Chapecoense. The first leg ended in a 2-2 stalemate in Xanxerê, setting the stage for a dramatic second leg in which Avaí managed yet another draw, this time 1-1, which was heated and full of controversy.
Not only does Love's achievement reiterate his skill and longevity in a highly competitive sport, but it also highlights a career full of significant contributions. Love previously played a paramount role in Corinthians, in particular during their successful run in the 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro where he lifted the trophy after scoring an impressive 16 goals in 50 appearances.
In his tenure with Corinthians, Vagner Love achieved staggering statistics; he played a total of 121 games, with 86 of those as a starter. His record includes 54 victories, 40 draws, and 27 defeats, accumulating a total points percentage of 55.65%. He was instrumental in securing titles such as the Campeonato Paulista in 2019 and receiving an average rating of 5.14 from over 100,000 votes from the fans.
Having returned to Corinthians in 2019 after a stint in Europe, including success in various leagues, Love demonstrated his knack for winning and being in the right place at the right time. While his second stint with Corinthians might not have been as outstanding as the first, Love still managed to score the decisive goal during the 2019 Paulista final against São Paulo, clinching yet another title for the club.
Avaí's recent title win significantly marks the end of a four-season drought, reinforcing their determination moving into the Série B of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The match against Novorizontino-SP scheduled for April 6, 2025, will be an opportunity for Love and his teammates to showcase their capabilities once again.
In total, Vagner Love's illustrious career now boasts a collection of five major titles within the elite ranks of Brazilian soccer. His contributions to the clubs he has represented exemplify a genuine commitment to the sport, and there is great anticipation surrounding both the player and Avaí as they head into this next chapter in their football journey.
