From Salvador's social projects to the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad
In short: Before becoming a mainstay for Brazil, Danilo's path was far from certain. After being released by his boyhood club, he relied on social projects and youth academies to climb the ranks, eventually securing a high-stakes move to the Premier League and a spot on the world stage.
Born in Salvador, Bahia, on 29 April 2001, Danilo dos Santos de Oliveira's career is a testament to steady progression. After being released by the youth academy of Bahia, he navigated the lower tiers of Brazilian football, including stints at Jacuipense and PFC Cajazeiras. It was through a social project at age 16 that he joined Cajazeiras, eventually making his senior debut on 5 May 2018 in a 4–0 victory over Conquista.
His breakthrough came when Palmeiras scouted him in 2018. After moving through the club's youth ranks, he made his Série A debut on 6 September 2020 against Red Bull Bragantino. This period marked a significant rise; he secured a permanent five-year contract with the club on 10 September 2020 and contributed to consecutive Copa Libertadores titles in 2020 and 2021. His performances in Brazil eventually earned him a move to the English Premier League in January 2023, joining Nottingham Forest for a fee estimated at £16 million.
The midfielder's journey has been marked by both triumph and setback. While he suffered a broken leg during the opening match of the 2024–25 season against Bournemouth, his resilience led to a major transfer to Botafogo in July 2025 for a reported $25,000,000. His international career saw him overlooked for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but he was eventually recalled by coach Carlo Ancelotti, leading to his selection for Brazil's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
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