Diego Carlos
Brazilian footballer.
Diego Carlos Santos Silva is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Aston Villa. Born on March 15, 1993, in Barra Bonita, São Paulo, Carlos has had a diverse and successful career across multiple countries. He began his senior career with Desportivo Brasil in 2012 before joining São Paulo's B team later that year. In 2014, he moved to Europe, signing with Portuguese club Estoril. After a brief spell there, he joined Nantes in France's Ligue 1 in 2016, where he established himself as a reliable defender over three seasons. Carlos' performances at Nantes caught the attention of Spanish club Sevilla, who signed him in 2019 for €15 million.
At Sevilla, he further enhanced his reputation, becoming a key player in their defense and helping the team win the UEFA Europa League in 2020. His success in Spain led to a high-profile transfer to Aston Villa in 2022 for a reported fee of £26 million. However, Carlos' start at Villa was marred by a serious Achilles tendon injury in his second Premier League appearance, sidelining him for several months. Despite this setback, he has since returned to fitness and continues to be an important part of Aston Villa's squad, contributing to their improved defensive performances in the Premier League.
Early life & youth football
Diego Carlos' early life and youth career began in Barra Bonita, São Paulo, Brazil. He started playing football at a young age, developing his skills in local youth teams. Carlos joined the youth academy of Desportivo Brasil, a club known for developing young talent, where he honed his defensive abilities. His performances at youth level caught the attention of São Paulo FC, one of Brazil's most prestigious clubs. In 2012, at the age of 19, Carlos signed for São Paulo's B team, marking the beginning of his professional career. This early period was crucial in shaping Carlos' playing style and tactical understanding, setting the foundation for his future success in Europe.
Professional career
Diego Carlos started his youth career with América Futebol Clube (SP) in 2009, spending about a year with their youth setup. In 2010, at the age of 17, he moved to Desportivo Brasil, a club known for developing young talent. Desportivo Brasil, located in Porto Feliz, São Paulo, has a reputation for nurturing promising players and facilitating their moves to larger clubs or European teams.During his time at Desportivo Brasil, Diego Carlos continued to develop his skills as a central defender.
The club's focus on player development likely played a crucial role in honing his defensive abilities and tactical understanding of the game. While specific details of his performances at Desportivo Brasil are limited, his progress there was significant enough to catch the attention of larger clubs.In 2012, Diego Carlos made his first step into senior football when he joined São Paulo FC's B team. This move represented a significant step up in his career, as São Paulo is one of Brazil's most prestigious clubs.
Playing for São Paulo's B team would have exposed Diego Carlos to a higher level of competition and provided him with valuable experience in a professional setup.However, Diego Carlos' time with São Paulo was short-lived. He didn't manage to break into the first team, which is not uncommon for young players at top Brazilian clubs given the intense competition for places. Despite this, his performances for the B team were impressive enough to attract interest from European clubs.
In 2014, at the age of 21, Diego Carlos made the move to Europe, joining Portuguese club Estoril. This transfer marked the end of his time playing club football in Brazil, but the foundation laid during his years at Desportivo Brasil and São Paulo FC's B team was crucial for his future success. Diego Carlos joined Portuguese club Estoril in July 2014, marking his first move to European football. During the 2014-15 season, he made 19 appearances for Estoril's B team in the Portuguese second division.
This period served as an important transition for Carlos, allowing him to adapt to European football and continue his development.In the 2015-16 season, Carlos broke into Estoril's first team, competing in Portugal's top flight, the Primeira Liga. He made 31 league appearances, scoring 2 goals, and played an additional 2 matches in Portugal's domestic cup competitions. His performances at Estoril caught the attention of clubs in larger European leagues, leading to his next move.
In July 2016, Diego Carlos transferred to French club Nantes, joining Ligue 1 for a reported fee of €2 million. This move represented a significant step up in the level of competition and exposure for the Brazilian defender.Carlos quickly established himself as a key player for Nantes. In his debut season (2016-17), he made 34 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring 1 goal.
He also featured in 3 cup matches, bringing his total appearances for the season to 37.The 2017-18 season saw Carlos further cement his place in Nantes' defense. He played in 36 Ligue 1 matches and made 2 cup appearances, totaling 38 games for the season. His consistent performances and reliability at the back made him an integral part of the team.
In his final season with Nantes (2018-19), Carlos maintained his high level of performance, appearing in 40 matches across all competitions. He played 34 games in Ligue 1, 3 in the Coupe de France, and 3 in the Coupe de la Ligue.Over his three seasons at Nantes, Diego Carlos made a total of 108 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring 3 goals. His performances in France's top flight significantly raised his profile in European football, showcasing his abilities as a strong, reliable center-back capable of competing at a high level.
Carlos' time at Nantes was crucial in his development as a player. He gained valuable experience in one of Europe's top five leagues, facing high-quality opposition regularly. His consistent performances and durability (he rarely missed matches) made him an attractive prospect for clubs in even larger leagues.By the end of his time at Nantes, Diego Carlos had transformed from a promising young defender from Brazil into a proven performer in a top European league, setting the stage for his subsequent move to Sevilla in La Liga.
Diego Carlos joined Sevilla in July 2019 for a reported fee of €15 million, signing a five-year contract with the Spanish club. His arrival at Sevilla marked a significant step up in his career, moving to one of Spain's top clubs and competing in La Liga.Carlos made his debut for Sevilla on August 18, 2019, in a 2-0 away victory against Espanyol. He quickly established himself as a key player in Sevilla's defense, forming a strong partnership with Jules Koundé at the heart of the backline.
In his first season (2019-20), Carlos made 35 appearances in La Liga, scoring 2 goals. He also played a crucial role in Sevilla's UEFA Europa League campaign. The team went on to win the competition, with Carlos starting in the final against Inter Milan, which Sevilla won 3-2. This victory marked Carlos' first major trophy in European football and highlighted his ability to perform at the highest level.
The 2020-21 season saw Carlos further cement his status as one of La Liga's top defenders. He made 33 appearances in La Liga, scoring 2 goals, and helped Sevilla secure a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification. His performances attracted interest from several top European clubs.In the 2021-22 season, his final campaign with Sevilla, Carlos continued to be a key figure in the team's defense.
He made 34 appearances in La Liga, scoring 3 goals, as Sevilla finished fourth in the league. His consistency and reliability at the back were crucial to the team's success.Throughout his time at Sevilla, Carlos was known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and composure on the ball. He formed a formidable partnership with Koundé, and the pair were considered one of the best defensive duos in La Liga.
Carlos' performances at Sevilla also earned him recognition on the international stage. He was part of the Brazil squad that won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), further enhancing his reputation.In total, over his three seasons at Sevilla, Diego Carlos made 136 appearances across all competitions, scoring 9 goals. Diego Carlos joined Aston Villa on July 1, 2022, for a reported fee of £26 million, signing a four-year contract with the Premier League club.
His arrival was seen as a significant coup for Villa, given his impressive performances for Sevilla in La Liga and the Europa League.Carlos made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa on August 6, 2022, in a 2-0 away defeat to Bournemouth. However, his start at Villa was marred by a serious injury in just his second appearance for the club. On August 13, 2022, during a 2-1 victory over Everton, Carlos ruptured his Achilles tendon, an injury that would sideline him for several months.
The injury was a significant setback for both Carlos and Aston Villa, as the Brazilian defender was expected to be a key player in the team's backline. He underwent surgery and began a lengthy rehabilitation process, missing the majority of the 2022-23 season.Carlos made his return to competitive action on April 4, 2023, coming on as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. He made a total of three appearances in the 2022-23 season as he gradually regained fitness.
The 2023-24 season saw Carlos play a more prominent role for Aston Villa. He made 38 appearances across all competitions, including 27 in the Premier League. Carlos scored his first goal for Villa on November 9, 2023, in a 2-1 Europa Conference League victory over AZ Alkmaar.Under the management of Unai Emery, Carlos has been part of a Villa team that has shown significant improvement.
The club finished the 2023-24 season in fourth place, securing Champions League qualification for the first time since 1982-83.Carlos' performances have been crucial to Villa's defensive solidity. His experience, physical presence, and ability to read the game have made him a valuable asset to the team. He has formed effective partnerships with other defenders such as Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres, contributing to Villa's improved defensive record.
As of September 2024, Carlos has made 41 appearances for Aston Villa across all competitions, scoring one goal. His recovery from the Achilles injury and subsequent return to form have been impressive, demonstrating his resilience and professionalism.
National team
His first call-up came in November 2019 for Brazil's friendlies against Argentina and South Korea, though he remained an unused substitute in both matches. Carlos was also part of Brazil's squad for the rescheduled 2020 Summer Olympics, held in 2021 in Tokyo. As one of the three overage players allowed in the under-23 tournament, Carlos played a crucial role in Brazil's gold medal-winning campaign. He started in the final against Spain, which Brazil won 2-1 after extra time, securing his first major international honor.
This Olympic success was a significant milestone in Carlos' career, showcasing his abilities on a global stage. Despite this achievement, competition for places in Brazil's senior team remains fierce, with the country boasting a wealth of defensive talent. Carlos continues to be in contention for future call-ups, with his performances in the Premier League potentially strengthening his case for inclusion in the national team
Player’s style
Diego Carlos' style of play is characterized by his physical strength, aerial ability, and tactical intelligence. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m), he possesses the size and power to dominate in defensive duels and set-piece situations. Carlos is known for his aggressive defending, often stepping out of the defensive line to intercept passes or challenge attackers.
His reading of the game allows him to make timely interventions and crucial blocks. In possession, Carlos is comfortable with the ball at his feet, capable of playing out from the back and contributing to his team's build-up play. His passing range, both short and long, adds an extra dimension to his team's attacking options. Carlos' versatility allows him to adapt to different defensive systems, whether in a back four or three.
His combination of physical attributes, defensive acumen, and technical skills makes him a well-rounded modern centre-back, suited to the demands of top-level football.