Messias (footballer)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is da Silva and the second or paternal family name is Júnior.

Messias Rodrigues da Silva Júnior (born 3 November 1994), simply known as Messias, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a central defender for Goiás, on loan from Santos.

Messias

Messias training with Santos in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Messias Rodrigues da Silva Júnior
Date of birth	(1994-11-03) 3 November 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth	São Mateus, Brazil
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Team information
Current team	Goiás (on loan from Santos)
Number	75
Youth career
	São Mateus
	Cruzeiro
2013–2014	América Mineiro
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2021	América Mineiro	143	(8)
2019–2020	→ Rio Ave (loan)	12	(0)
2021–2022	Ceará	63	(1)
2023–	Santos	34	(2)
2024–	→ Goiás (loan)	53	(2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 August 2025

Career

América Mineiro

Born in São Mateus, Messias represented the youth academy of São Mateus and Cruzeiro before moving to the academy of América Mineiro in 2013. On 2 February 2014, he was promoted to the senior team, signing a deal which would keep him at the club until 2016.^[1] On 28 November 2015, he made his first team debut, starting in a 0–0 draw against Botafogo in Série B.^[2]

In the 2016 season, Messias played his first league match in a 2–0 defeat against Palmeiras, replacing the injured Roger.^[3] He played regularly in the 2017 season, featuring 47 times for the club and scoring one goal, with his side winning the Série B and thus achieving promotion to Série A.^[4]

On 5 January 2018, Messias' contract was extended until December 2022.^[5] On 30 January of the following year, Messias was loaned out to Portuguese club Rio Ave until the middle of 2020 for € 200,000.^[6]

Upon returning, Messias became a regular starter for Coelho, helping with three goals in 36 league appearances as the club returned to the first division.

Ceará

On 24 March 2021, Messias signed a contract with fellow top tier side Ceará until December 2023.^[7]

Santos

On 7 December 2022, after Ceará's relegation, Messias signed a three-year contract with Santos also in the top tier.^[8] He made his debut for the club the following 22 January, starting in a 1–1 Campeonato Paulista away draw against São Bernardo.^[9]

Messias scored his first goal for Peixe on 26 April 2023, netting the winner in a 1–0 home success over Botafogo-SP, for the year's Copa do Brasil.^[10]

Loan to Goiás

On 11 April 2024, Santos announced the loan of Messias to Goiás until the end of the year.^[11] On 4 December, his loan was extended for a further season.^[12]

Career statistics

As of 24 January 2025^[13]

Club	Season	League			State League		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
América Mineiro	2015	Série B	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		1	0
	2016	Série A	9	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		9	0
	2017	Série B	32	1	12	2	1	0	—		2[a]	0	47	3
	2018	Série A	35	1	13	0	2	0	—		—		50	1
	2019	Série B	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		0	0
	2020		36	3	2	0	8	0	—		—		46	3
	2021	Série A	0	0	3	1	1	0	—		—		4	1
	Total		113	5	30	3	12	0	—		2	0	157	8
Rio Ave (loan)	2018–19	Primeira Liga	7	0	—		—		—		—		7	0
	2019–20		5	0	—		1	0	0	0	2[b]	0	8	0
	Total		12	0	—		1	0	0	0	2	0	15	0
Ceará	2021	Série A	34	1	2	0	—		5[c]	0	7[d]	1	48	2
	2022		25	0	2	0	5	0	9[c]	1	6[d]	0	47	1
	Total		59	1	4	0	5	0	14	1	13	1	95	3
Santos	2023	Série A	28	2	5	0	5	1	5[c]	0	—		43	3
	2024	Série B	0	0	1	0	—		—		—		1	0
	Total		28	2	6	0	5	1	5	0	—		44	3
Goiás (loan)	2024	Série B	23	0	—		—		—		—		23	0
	2025		0	0	3	0	0	0	—		0	0	3	0
	Total		23	0	3	0	0	0	—		0	0	26	0
Career total			235	8	43	3	23	1	19	1	17	1	337	14

1. Appearance(s) in Primeira Liga
2. Appearance(s) in Taça da Liga
3. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana.
4. Appearance(s) in Copa do Nordeste.

Honours

América Mineiro

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2017