In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Paula and the second or paternal family name is da Cunha. "Filho" is a generational suffix meaning "son", which is used for someone whose name is the same as their father, like "Jr." in English.

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 Botafogo.

Club career

Santos

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]

Botafogo

On 10 February 2025, Botafogo announced the signing of Jair on a four-year contract.[12]

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.[13] On 20 December, he was included in the squad for the 2025 South American U-20 Championship.[14]

Career statistics

As of 5 November 2024.[15]
Club Season League State League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Santos 2023 Série A 2 0 — 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2024 Série B 20 0 2 0 — — — 22 0
Total 22 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 24 0
Botafogo 2025 Série A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 22 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 0

Honours

Santos

Brazil U20

References

  1. ^ "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] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Menino da Vila, zagueiro Jair Cunha segue no Santos FC" [Menino da Vila, stopper Jair Cunha remains at Santos FC] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Conheça o zagueiro Jair, revelação da base do Peixe" [Know the stopper Jair, spotlight of Peixe's youth setup] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Meu Peixão. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Zagueiro Jair, de 16 anos, assina contrato milionário com o Santos" [Stopper Jair, aged 16, signs millionaire deal with Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 19 June 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  5. ^ "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] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  6. ^ "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] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  7. ^ "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] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  8. ^ "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] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  9. ^ "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] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  10. ^ "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"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  11. ^ "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] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Reforço na zaga" [Addition in the defense] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Botafogo FR. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  13. ^ "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] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  14. ^ "JP Chermont e Jair são convocados para o Sul-Americano Sub-20" [JP Chermont and Jair are called up to the South American U-20 Championship] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  15. ^ Jair Cunha at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jair_Cunha
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