Brazilian midfielder leaves V-League, stuck on the bench in Indonesia

Departing SHB Da Nang to compete in Indonesia, Emerson Souza has not been able to compete for a starting position and often has to remain a substitute at Madura United.

Leaving SHB Da Nang, Emerson Souza embarked on a new journey in Indonesia hoping to regain his footing in his career. However, reality has not met expectations as the Brazilian midfielder is now accustomed to a substitute role at Madura United Club.

In January 2025, SHB Da Nang recruited Emerson Souza to strengthen the midfield for the second half of the season. The 1997-born player was highly regarded for his good physique, solid fitness foundation, and strong tackling ability, fitting the role of a defensive midfielder.

Developed from the Rio Branco academy, Emerson once had the opportunity to play in Europe by joining Porto's youth system. Later, he continued to gain experience across various environments, from Brazil to Iraq wearing Al-Naft SC's jersey, then Malta with Floriana FC before coming to Vietnam.

During his two seasons with SHB Da Nang, Emerson Souza played a total of 26 matches in V.League. In the 2025/2026 season alone, he appeared in 11 matches but did not leave a distinct mark. Despite stable performances, this midfielder still did not fully meet expectations regarding his control and offensive support capabilities.

To meet the requirement of upgrading the squad for the next phase, SHB Da Nang's coaching staff decided to part ways with Emerson Souza. Shortly after, the Brazilian player quickly found a new destination by joining Madura United in Indonesia's national league with a short-term contract.

Nevertheless, the new environment is presenting considerable challenges for Emerson Souza. At Madura United, he has only played 4 times, all as a substitute, and has not scored any goals. Most of the remaining time, the 28-year-old midfielder is either not registered to play or has to watch matches from the bench, indicating his journey to prove himself still faces many challenges ahead.