Mateus Vital, the 26-year-old midfielder and former Corinthians player, recently faced unexpected setbacks in his transfer negotiations with Mexican side Necaxa. Despite having advanced discussions to reunite with his former coach Nicolás Larcamón, who believes Vital could be key to their squad, the deal fell through due to Vital's absence from a mandatory work visa appointment.
After leaving Corinthians at the end of 2022 and joining Cruzeiro, where he has played prominently, Vital appeared set to continue his career abroad. Reports indicated he was preparing for this move, receiving strong endorsements from Larcamón, who had coached him at Cruzeiro during the Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Mineiro earlier this year. Larcamón viewed Vital as integral as he shapes the new roster.
According to ESPN, the main hurdle was Vital's failure to appear for his work visa application, prompting Necaxa to withdraw interest. This was particularly surprising considering the momentum the transfer had gained and the significant involvement of Larcamón, who had developed strategies around incorporating Vital back onto the field.
Social media activity from Vital showed him physically active and training, located in Rio de Janeiro at the time negotiations were falling apart. Ongoing communication attempts by sports media outlet O TEMPO met with silence from both Vital's representatives and his current club, Cruzeiro.
Vital joined Corinthians from Vasco da Gama for approximately R$ 8 million back in 2018. During his tenure with the club, he made 207 appearances and netted 14 goals, contributing to the team’s titles during the São Paulo Championship of 2018 and 2019. After spending time on loan at Panathinaikos from 2021 to 2022, he made the switch to Cruzeiro, where he currently holds at least 70% of his economic rights with Corinthians maintaining their stake.
His statistics with Cruzeiro highlight three goals and three assists following 71 appearances, though his only goal contribution this season came during the second leg of the Campeonato Mineiro final against local rivals Atlético, which ended disappointingly with a 3-1 defeat.
Complicately intertwined within these negotiations was the circumstance surrounding Vital's health—he missed the last two matches of the Brasileirão due to acute tonsillitis, raising concerns about his fitness and readiness for the upcoming season.
Currently, the expectations surrounding this transfer debacle seem to add pressure to Vital as he stakes his future with Cruzeiro. Given the contract until June 2025, his focus remains with the club, yet questions linger about his adaptability and positioning within the team’s future plans.
Vital's situation is symptomatic of the uncertainties present within professional football, where transfers can swiftly alter based on seemingly minor administrative oversights. This latest twist leaves him with renewed prospects hovering over potential future deals—whether stateside or abroad—but he must first solidify his role, recover fully from recent health issues and capitalize on the opportunities with the team.
The story around Vital is still fascinating as it navigates the corridors of sports negotiations: it encapsulates hope, disappointment, and the relentless determination showcased by professional athletes as they aim to carve out their careers amid unpredictable challenges.
