Mauro Júnior's 2026: from PSV captain to Brazilian debut

In the buzzing atmosphere of the training ground in Eindhoven, the 27‑year‑old Mauro Júnior, now PSV captain, received his first call‑up for the Brazilian Seleção and made his debut in a friendly against Australia. The match ended 1‑1, after which he started a few days later in a 2‑4 victory.

Years‑long development at PSV

For Mauro Júnior, 2026 is already a year to never forget, but his story began ten seasons ago. As a seventeen‑year‑old South American, he arrived in Eindhoven and signed with Jong PSV. Head coach Phillip Cocu soon brought him more often into the first team, after which he was loaned out for a year to Heracles Almelo in the 2019/20 season. At Heracles he played virtually every match until the coronavirus pandemic prematurely ended the season.

After his return to PSV he initially got opportunities as an attacking midfielder, later as a winger. In the 2021/22 season Roger Schmidt deployed him as a wing‑back, first on the left and later mainly on the right. This positional switch proved crucial, but injury woes meant he missed a large part of the period under Schmidt and the start of Peter Bosz.

Success and titles with PSV

Under the current manager Peter Bosz the Brazilian captured three of his four league titles in Eindhoven. In addition to the four Eredivisie championships he has won two KNVB Cups and four Johan Cruyff Shields. These trophies are the reward for almost ten years of hard work in the Netherlands, and confirm his status as an undisputed regular when fit.

For the club Mauro Júnior has now played 208 official matches, making him the Brazilian with the most appearances for PSV. He has surpassed Heurelho Gomes (182), Romário (148), Marcelo (139) and André Ramalho (128). Various clubs have heard about a release clause of around twelve million euros; FC Porto and Fenerbahçe showed interest, but he chose to stay in Eindhoven.

Captaincy and current season

Due to the prolonged absence of captain Jerdy Schouten, Mauro Júnior temporarily wears the armband at PSV. The responsibility seems to give him extra wings: this season he has scored once, provided two assists and ranks third in the number of passes in the Eredivisie. For the Brazilian this represents an extra step towards international recognition.

His strong club performances ultimately earned him his first call‑up for the Seleção. National team coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to take the PSV captain on the world tour. Since last Friday Mauro Júnior may officially call himself an international for Brazil.

In the first international he came on fifteen minutes before time for Douglas Santos in a friendly against Australia that ended 1‑1. A few days later he was in the starting eleven of a 2‑4 win over the same opponent. The Seleção now travels to India for the next friendly; in total Mauro Júnior has covered as much as 32,000 kilometres during this period before returning to Eindhoven.