Samir Caetano has officially signed with Mazatlán FC, marking his return to professional football after spending over six months sidelined at Tigres UANL. The Brazilian defender expressed gratitude for the opportunity he received from Tigres but is eager to play again after not seeing game action for such a lengthy period.
After what felt like a long saga about his future, Caetano has moved to the Pacific coast club on loan for one year. This transfer is seen as mutually beneficial; Mazatlán gains depth and talent, and Caetano gets the chance to display his skills again. He conveyed his appreciation to Tigres for the role they played in his professional career, stating, "I personally have no problem with Tigres, I have to thank them for giving me the opportunity to play in Mexico in such an important league," as reported by AS México.
Despite his respect for his former club, Caetano's absence from regular matches led him to look for opportunities elsewhere. His situation at Tigres was complicated, as he found himself out of favor under coach Veljko Paunovic, leading to training with the team's U-23 squad instead. This lack of participation took its toll, and he candidly remarked about the need to "enjoy again" the game he loves.
Reflecting on the time without competitive play, Caetano described it as challenging. "This opportunity to play again brought me joy and enthusiasm, which is to 'enjoy again', feeling the adrenaline again and smiling at the new adventures," he explained. Now, at Mazatlán, he feels reinvigorated as he adapts to his new environment and partners.
Caetano's decision to join the "Cañoneros" came down to the attractive project presented by the club management. While he had opportunities to sign with teams back home, like Internacional de Porto Alegre and Vasco de Gama, he found the vision offered by Mazatlán appealing. "What attracted me to the proposal from Mazatlán was the project presented by the management, it was a club restructuring and the project was good," he emphasized.
He also shared how the coaching of Víctor Manuel Vucetich played a significant role. Vucetich, who is regarded as one of the most accomplished coaches in LIGA MX, has been influential since Caetano joined the team. "I am learning many things from him, and he gives me indications every day during training where I will learn with him," Caetano noted with optimism.
Having experienced weeks of frustration during his time off, Caetano has now thrown himself wholeheartedly back onto the pitch. He stated, "I was happy to get back on the field, for everyone to see I'm okay, physically I'm not 100 percent because I come from a long period without playing, but I'm getting rhythm and confidence." His debut with Mazatlán came during their latest match where he managed to contribute effectively, playing around thirty minutes and helping to stabilize the team's performance.
Caetano's hopes for the season are ambitious. He envisions himself growing more comfortable with each match, building his fitness, and potentially starting full matches as the campaign progresses. "I'm getting rhythm and confidence; once I reach my peak, I will be ready for whatever the coach needs," he stated.
Closing out his reflections about this new chapter, he expressed how grateful he felt to be part of Mazatlán FC. He said, "We can surprise many people this season. We have great players here and with humility and sacrifice, we can do great things together."
For Caetano, this is more than just another career opportunity; it's a chance to reclaim his passion for football and contribute to his new squad’s success as they gear up for what promises to be an exciting Clausura 2025.