From Rondonópolis to Monaco, Vanderson’s route has rarely been straightforward, but Brazil’s 4-2 friendly win over Australia on Tuesday gave the right-back a clear new marker in his international journey. The 25-year-old scored his first senior Brazil goal in only the second minute, opening a match that brought a lively start to the side’s tour.
Brazil moved quickly down the right through a sequence involving Danilo, Rayan and Bontempo. After Rayan received the ball from Danilo, he found Bontempo, whose pass invited Vanderson into the area. The Monaco defender met it first time and sent a finish into the top corner from the right side of the box, beyond the Australian goalkeeper.
It was Vanderson’s eighth appearance for Brazil’s senior team and his first goal in its colours. He had been called into Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for friendlies against Australia and India as a replacement for Roma’s injured Wesley. A muscle problem sustained while playing for Monaco in the Champions League had previously ruled him out of Ancelotti’s first Brazil selection in 2025.
Brazil now travel on to Kolkata, where they face India at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday at 11am Brasília time.
A long route from Mato Grosso
Vanderson was born and raised in Rondonópolis, in the state of Mato Grosso, and did not enter a major academy system early. At 17, after limited youth opportunities, he joined Rio Branco of Americana in São Paulo state. His spell there lasted six months before Grêmio offered the opening that changed his direction.
There had been a period when football felt uncertain enough for him to consider leaving the game, looking instead for work and further study. His father, who worked in construction, encouraged him to continue pursuing a career as a player.
At Grêmio, Vanderson played 52 matches and developed rapidly enough to attract attention from abroad. Monaco signed him in 2021 for €11 million, a fee valued at roughly R$70 million at the time. He has since become an established figure in France, recording 155 appearances, eight goals and 16 assists for the principality club.
Working this season under Filipe Luís, he had played seven matches for Monaco before joining Brazil. Interest from Napoli and Tottenham has surfaced in recent years, yet he remains under contract at Monaco until June 2028.
Brazil’s changing right side
His international story began in June 2023, when Ramon Menezes handed him a late appearance in a friendly against Guinea. Vanderson returned that September under Fernando Diniz, coming on against Peru in 2026 World Cup qualifying. A later call-up under Diniz ended prematurely because of a knee injury.
Dorival Júnior restored him to the group in 2024. Vanderson started the 4-0 qualifying victory over Peru at the Arena Mané Garrincha and also began the 1-1 draw with Venezuela at the Monumental de Maturín. He missed the subsequent 1-1 draw against Uruguay through suspension after collecting yellow cards.
His finish against Australia also continued a small Mato Grosso thread in Brazil’s recent scoring history. Cuiabá-born forward Igor Jesus scored his first, and so far only, Brazil goal in October 2024, when Brazil beat Chile 2-1 in World Cup qualifying. Vanderson’s goal now gives another player from the state a personal landmark on the international stage.
