Jair Cunha Explained

Jair Cunha
Fullname:Jair Paula da Cunha Filho
Birth Date:7 March 2005
Birth Place:Orlândia, Brazil
Height:1.97m[1]
Position:Centre back
Currentclub:Santos
Clubnumber:32
Youthyears1:2016–2024
Youthclubs1:Santos
Years1:2023–
Clubs1:Santos
Caps1:9
Goals1:0
Club-Update:21:38, 23 July 2024 (UTC)

Jair Paula da Cunha Filho (born 7 March 2005), known as Jair Cunha[2] or just Jair, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a central defender for Santos.

Club career

Born in Orlândia, São Paulo, Jair joined Santos' youth setup in 2016, aged ten.[3] On 19 June 2021, he signed his first professional contract with the club, agreeing to a deal until 2024.[4]

On 22 June 2022, Jair renewed his link with Peixe until June 2025,[5] and started to train with the first team squad in August.[6] On 12 January of the following year, he suffered a knee injury while playing for the under-20s in the 2023 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior.[7]

Jair returned to trainings in August 2023, while entering the final stages of his recovery.[8] He was declared fit to play in October,[9] and made his professional – and Série A – debut on 9 November, coming on as a late substitute for fellow youth graduate Marcos Leonardo in a 1–0 away win over Goiás.[10]

On 23 April 2024, after becoming an immediate backup to starters Gil and Joaquim, Jair renewed his contract with Santos until December 2026.[11]

International career

On 17 May 2024, Jair and Santos teammates JP Chermont and Souza were called up to the Brazil national under-20 team for a period of trainings.[12]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Santos2023Série A20000020
2024Série B502070
Career total702000000090

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jair Cunha diz que cresceu dois centímetros durante recuperação e sonha com promoção no Santos. Jair Cunha says he grew two centimeters during recovery and dreams with promotion at Santos. ge. pt-BR. 14 June 2023. 10 November 2023.
  2. Web site: Menino da Vila, zagueiro Jair Cunha segue no Santos FC. Menino da Vila, stopper Jair Cunha remains at Santos FC. Santos FC. pt-BR. 28 December 2023. 31 December 2023.
  3. Web site: Conheça o zagueiro Jair, revelação da base do Peixe. Know the stopper Jair, spotlight of Peixes youth setup. Meu Peixão. pt-BR. 2 July 2021. 8 January 2022.
  4. Web site: Zagueiro Jair, de 16 anos, assina contrato milionário com o Santos. Stopper Jair, aged 16, signs millionaire deal with Santos. Lance!. pt-BR. 19 June 2021. 8 January 2022.
  5. Web site: Santos renova com Jair Cunha, joia da base; multa é de R$ 378 milhões. Santos renew with Jair Cunha, spotlight of the youth setup; release clause is of R$ 378 million. ge. pt-BR. 21 June 2022. 10 November 2023.
  6. Web site: Jair Paula chama a atenção e briga por espaço com Lisca no Santos. Jair Paula catches the eye and fights for a space with Lisca at Santos. ge. pt-BR. 4 August 2022. 10 November 2023.
  7. Web site: Zagueiro Jair, do Santos, sofre duas lesões no joelho direito e passará por cirurgia. Stopper Jair, from Santos, suffers two injuries on his right knee and will undergo surgery. ge. pt-BR. 12 January 2023. 10 November 2023.
  8. Web site: Conheça Jair, promissor zagueiro do Santos que voltou a treinar com o profissional. Know Jair, promising stopper of Santos who returned to train with the first team. Lance!. pt-BR. 24 August 2023. 10 November 2023.
  9. Web site: Santos: destaque da Copinha volta após nove meses e pode encarar Palmeiras. Santos: spotlight of the Copinha returns after nine months and may face Palmeiras. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 4 October 2023. 10 November 2023.
  10. Web site: Jair Cunha celebra volta por cima e estreia como profissional do Santos: "Sonho realizado". Jair Cunha celebrates comeback and debut as a professional of Santos: "Dream fulfilled". ge. pt-BR. 10 November 2023. 10 November 2023.
  11. Web site: Joia da base, zagueiro Jair renova com o Santos FC até dezembro de 2026. Pearl of the youth setup, Jair renews with Santos FC until December 2026. Santos FC. pt-BR. 23 April 2024. 23 April 2024.
  12. Web site: Jair, Souza e JP Chermont são convocados para a Seleção Brasileira Sub-20. Jair, Souza and JP Chermont are called up to the Brazil national under-20 team. Diário do Peixe. pt-BR. 17 May 2024. 12 June 2024.