Unexpected Twist: The Chinese Super League’s “Winner of the Year” Is Him—From “Flop” to Star in Just 3 Months

Recently, Transfermarkt updated the market values of Chinese Super League (CSL) players—and one name immediately stood out. Shanghai Port’s Brazilian midfielder Vitão saw his value surge by €1.5 million, rising from €2.0 million to €3.5 million, the biggest increase in the league this year. What makes it even more striking is that Vitão spent nearly half the season under heavy criticism, only to deliver a remarkable “comeback” over the past few months that surprised many.

From the very beginning, Shanghai Port believed in him. Early this year, the club paid a €300,000 transfer fee and offered Vitão a two-year contract, signaling a long-term plan rather than a short-term gamble. In his first 15 appearances, he recorded 2 goals and 4 assists—not disastrous by any means, but expectations were sky-high with Oscar’s legacy still fresh in supporters’ minds. As a result, Vitão’s early output was widely viewed as merely “acceptable,” not convincing.

Then came the dip. Over the next 9 matches, Vitão managed only one assist, and the “flop” label began to stick. Critics argued he offered little beyond the occasional long-range shot. During the summer transfer window, Shanghai Port added another midfielder, Melendo, and removed Gustavo from registration—an adjustment that some called a questionable decision. At the time, many believed Vitão, not someone else, should have been the one sacrificed.

The turning point arrived in mid-August. Against Henan, Vitão delivered a goal and an assist, arguably his best performance since joining Shanghai Port. Soon after, the team was unexpectedly held to a draw at home by Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, and Vitão was substituted early in the 58th minute. Shanghai Port’s midfield immediately lost control, and for the first time, many realized this understated Brazilian might be more essential than he ever appeared.

As the season unfolded, the numbers and the eye test began to align. Vitão finished as Shanghai Port’s top creator of scoring chances and became the primary outlet in the attacking build-up. With Melendo providing forward thrust and Jussa taking on defensive responsibilities, Vitão was freed to play as a true “connector”—a calm midfield hub rather than a player forced to drift wide or constantly charge into advanced areas. That tactical shift finally unlocked his strengths in passing and control.

In that sense, Vitão’s role started to resemble the kind of midfield organizer teams build systems around—someone who clarifies the structure of possession and makes the next decision easier for everyone. When a side has a player like that, attacking patterns become cleaner, and the entire team’s rhythm feels more predictable and purposeful.

That is exactly why, from August until the end of the CSL season—less than three months—Vitão’s reputation climbed rapidly, and fan recognition followed. By season’s end, he was selected in the CSL Team of the Season as a championship-winning midfielder, and his value climbed by €1.5 million, the highest rise in the league.

Looking back, this turnaround wasn’t luck. Without the tactical adjustment, without Melendo’s arrival, and without Muscat’s trust, Vitão’s resurgence may never have happened. But with every piece in place, he transformed from an unremarkable and doubted foreign signing into one of the league’s standout midfielders—proof that smart coaching and “using the right player the right way” can change everything.