Vinicius Nelson de Souza Zanocelo (born 30 January 2001), known as Vinicius Zanocelo or just Zanocelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ceará
Club career Ponte Preta Born in Santo André, São Paulo, Zanocelo joined Ponte Preta's youth setup in July 2016, from Juventus-SP, after previously playing futsal for Corinthians, Remo and Portuguesa. On 23 February 2019, he renewed his contract until December 2021.
Zanocelo made his first team debut on 20 March 2019, coming on as a late substitute for Nathan Silva in a 0–1 Campeonato Paulista away loss against Palmeiras. He scored his first goal ten days later, netting a last-minute equalizer in a 2–2 away draw against Oeste.
Zanocelo only started to feature more regularly in the 2020 campaign, where he contributed with 15 league appearances.
Ferroviária On 23 January 2021, Ponte Preta reached an agreement with Ferroviária for the transfer of Zanocelo, for a fee of R$ 2.3 million. He was announced at his new club on 3 February, after agreeing to a four-year contract.
Zanocelo immediately became a starter at his new club, contributing with one goal in 12 appearances in the 2021 Campeonato Paulista.
Santos
On 4 June 2021, Zanocelo moved to Santos on a two-year loan deal, with a buyout clause. He made his club – and Série A – debut thirteen days later, replacing Gabriel Pirani in a 0–1 away loss against Fluminense.
Zanocelo scored his first goal for Peixe on 23 February 2022, netting his team's second in a 3–0 away win over Salgueiro, for the year's Copa do Brasil.
On 21 November 2022, Ferroviária announced the permanent transfer of Zanocelo to Santos, after the latter club activated his buyout clause. The following 8 March, after featuring rarely under head coach Odair Hellmann, he asked to leave the club.
Loan to Fortaleza On 1 April 2023, Zanocelo was loaned to fellow top tier side Fortaleza until the end of the year, with a buyout clause. Rarely used by the club, he left when his loan expired in December after 12 matches overall.
Loan to Estoril On 30 January 2024, following Santos' first-ever relegation to Série B, Zanocelo was loaned to Portuguese Primeira Liga club Estoril until 31 December 2024. On 6 January of the following year, his loan was extended for a further six months.
Loan to Ceará On 8 August 2025, Ceará announced the signing of Zanocelo on loan until the end of the year.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueState leagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPonte Preta2019Série B103100——41202015011030——290Total16014130——331Ferroviária2021Série D00121———121Santos2021Série A230—102Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana0—26020222831014170—495202300300000—302024Série B0000———00Total5131315190—785Fortaleza (loan)2023Série A60—4120—121Estoril (loan)2023–24Primeira Liga151—00——1512024–25302—10——312Total453—10——463Ceará (loan)2025Série A151————151Career total13373831321100019512
References
External links SMG Brasil profile