Eduardo Sasha

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Colcentiand the second or paternal family name is Antunes.

Eduardo Sasha

Sasha lining up for Internacional in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Eduardo Colcenti Antunes
Date of birth	(1992-02-24) 24 February 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth	Porto Alegre, Brazil
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Red Bull Bragantino
Number	19
Youth career
2007–2010	Internacional
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2018	Internacional	121	(25)
2012–2013	→ Goiás (loan)	44	(7)
2018	→ Santos (loan)	15	(4)
2018–2020	Santos	74	(17)
2020–2023	Atlético Mineiro	113	(22)
2023–	Red Bull Bragantino	43	(15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:53, 24 February 2024 (UTC)

Eduardo Colcenti Antunes (born 24 February 1992), known as Eduardo Sasha or simply Sasha, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a forward for Red Bull Bragantino.

He made his professional debut for Internacional in 2010, and has won the Campeonato Gaúcho four times for the club. He spent 18 months on loan at Goiás, where he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B and the Campeonato Goiano. In 2018 he moved to Santos. In 2020, Sasha joined Atlético Mineiro, winning the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the Copa do Brasil in 2021, among other titles.

Career

Internacional

Born in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul; due to his style of hair in his youth, and his brother already being nicknamed after Brazilian presenter Xuxa, he earned the sobriquet Sasha after her daughter Sasha Meneghel. ^[1]

He began his career at hometown team Internacional. On 10 September 2010, aged 18, he signed his first contract for a length of five years, with a release clause set at €40 million (R$ 87 million). ^[2] Two days later, he made his debut in a goalless home draw against Goiás for the year's Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, as a 62nd-minute substitute for Giuliano. ^[3] He made one more appearance off the bench over the season, and was included in Inter's squad for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, but did not take to the field as his team came third. ^[4]

On 19 March 2011, he made his Campeonato Gaúcho debut by replacing Daniel for the final six minutes of a goalless draw against Novo Hamburgo at Beira-Rio, ^[5] his sole appearance of a season which his team ended as champions. He made two appearances the following season, including a first senior start on 26 January in a 1–2 home loss to Cerâmica.

Loan to Goiás

On 10 May 2012, Sasha was loaned to Goiás for the upcoming Série B season; he was the team's 17th signing of the year and the fifth from Internacional, including his youth team strike partner Ricardo Goulart. ^[1] He made seven substitute appearances as his team won the championship.

On 23 January 2013, as a half-time replacement for Caio in the second game of the year's Campeonato Goiano, he scored his first senior goal to give the Esmeraldino the lead in an eventual 3–1 win at Grêmio Anápolis. ^[6] He totalled three goals in 21 appearances as his team won the state title, one coming in a 4–1 win (5–3 aggregate) at Aparecidense in the semi-finals on 5 May. ^[7]

Later in the year, Sasha's four goals in 16 games helped Goiás to sixth place in the edition of the national league; his first such strike came on 18 September as a substitute for Renan Oliveira in a 2–2 draw at Coritiba. ^[8] He totalled another three goals in eight games in the year's Copa do Brasil, including one in the semi-final defeat to Flamengo. ^[9]

Return to Internacional

Sasha walking out for Internacional before a Copa Libertadores game against Emelec in March 2015

Sasha scored twice in seven games as the Colorado won the 2014 Campeonato Gaúcho; his first goal for them came on 29 January in a 2–1 home win over São Paulo-RS, three minutes after replacing Valdívia at the Estádio Francisco Stédile. ^[10] He got another four in 12 games in the ensuing Série A, including two in a 4–2 home win over Coritiba on 28 September. ^[11]

Internacional won another state championship the following year, with Sasha's contributions including a brace on 4 February in a 4–4 home draw against São José on 4 February 2015. ^[12] He also got his first goals in continental competition, recording a goal in each game against Universidad de Chile in the second stage of the year's Copa Libertadores. ^{[13] [14]}

Sasha was the team's top scorer with six goals in 15 games as Inter won a sixth consecutive state title in 2016; he opened the 3–0 home win over Juventude in the second leg of the final (4–0 aggregate). ^[15] On the celebration, he grabbed the corner flag and started dancing a debutante ball, eluding fierce rivals Grêmio's 15-year title drought; ^[16] his dance later prompted to offensive replies by Luan on the 2016 Copa do Brasil and the 2017 Copa Libertadores Finals, both won by Grêmio. ^{[17] [18]}

Sasha was a regular starter for Inter during the campaign, as his side suffered relegation for the first time in history. In the following year's promotion season, he also struggled with recurrent ankle injuries. ^[19]

Santos

Sasha with Santos in 2019

On 9 January 2018, Sasha joined Santos on loan until December, with a buyout clause. ^[20] He made his debut for the club on 22 January, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 Campeonato Paulista home loss against Bragantino.

Sasha scored his first goal for Peixe on 25 January 2018, netting the equalizer in a 2–1 away defeat of Ponte Preta. ^[21] On 15 March, he scored a brace in a 3–1 home win against Nacional, being also named man of the match.

On 19 April 2018, Sasha signed a permanent contract until 2022, with Zeca moving in the opposite direction. ^[22] He started the 2019 campaign out of the first-team plans under new manager Jorge Sampaoli, but subsequently established himself as a regular. ^[23]

On 20 July 2020, Sasha filed a legal action against Santos, alleging unpaid wages, ^[24] and was declared a free agent eleven days later; ^[25] the following day, however, the judge himself revoked the decision after being deemed suspect to judge the case. ^[26]

Atlético Mineiro

On 17 August 2020, Sasha joined Atlético Mineiro on a four-year contract for a €1.5 million fee. ^[27]

Red Bull Bragantino

On 31 March 2023, Sasha joined Red Bull Bragantino on a deal running until December 2025. ^[28]

Style of play

Upon giving him his first professional contract, Internacional manager Celso Roth said of Sasha: ^[2]

He is a boy who I have seen distinguishing himself in the reserves, a player with speed. Therefore, he's being added to the squad. He has speed, movement. We hope that, with calmness, with normal conditions, to give him the chance to mature. We have to be calm

Career statistics

As of 24 February 2024 ^[29]

Club	Season	League			State League		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Internacional	2010	Série A	2	0	—		—		—		0	0	2	0
	2011		0	0	1	0	—		—		—		1	0
	2012		0	0	2	0	—		—		—		2	0
	2014		12	4	7	2	2	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	—		22	6
	2015		14	2	10	3	2	1	12 [lower-alpha 2]	2	—		38	8
	2016		31	5	16	6	5	1	—		4 [lower-alpha 3]	1	56	13
	2017	Série B	26	3	0	0	1	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	28	3
	Total		85	14	36	11	10	2	13	2	5	1	149	30
Goiás (loan)	2012	Série B	7	0	—		1	0	—		—		8	0
	2013	Série A	16	4	21	3	8	3	—		—		45	10
	Total		23	4	21	3	9	3	—		—		53	10
Santos	2018	Série A	25	1	14	4	2	0	5 [lower-alpha 2]	2	—		46	7
	2019		37	14	5	0	7	0	0	0	—		49	14
	2020		0	0	8	2	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 2]	0	—		10	2
	Total		62	15	27	6	9	0	7	2	—		105	23
Atlético Mineiro	2020	Série A	34	9	2	1	—		—		—		36	10
	2021		23	2	11	1	9	0	7 [lower-alpha 2]	0	—		50	3
	2022		27	3	12	5	2	3	6 [lower-alpha 2]	1	0	0	47	12
	2023		0	0	4	1	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	—		5	1
	Total		84	14	29	8	11	3	14	1	0	0	138	26
Red Bull Bragantino	2023	Série A	33	11	—		0	0	8 [lower-alpha 1]	5	—		41	16
	2024		0	0	8	4	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	—		9	4
	Total		33	11	8	4	0	0	9	5	—		50	20
Career total			287	58	121	32	39	8	43	10	5	1	495	109

1. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
2. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
3. Appearance(s) in Primeira Liga

Honours

Internacional

• Campeonato Gaúcho: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016 ^[29]

Goiás

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2012 ^[29]
• Campeonato Goiano: 2013 ^[29]

Atlético Mineiro

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2021
• Copa do Brasil: 2021
• Campeonato Mineiro: 2020, 2021, 2022
• Supercopa do Brasil: 2022

References

1. Vasconcelos, Fernando (10 May 2012). "Titular de Ricardo Goulart no Inter, Eduardo Sasha se apresenta ao Goiás" [Teammate of Ricardo Goulart at Inter, Eduardo Sasha is presented at Goiás] (in Portuguese). Globo. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
2. Alletti, Alexandre (10 September 2010). "Eduardo Sasha assina contrato novo e ganha elogios de Roth" [Eduardo Sasha signs new contract and earns Roth's praises] (in Portuguese). Globo. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
3. "Destaques do empate com o Goiás" [Highlights of the draw with Goiás]. Sport Club Internacional. 12 September 2010. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
4. Edwards, Daniel (18 December 2010). "Internacional 4–2 Seongnam Ilhwa: Tinga & D'Alessandro power Brazilians to third place triumph in Club World Cup". Goal.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
5. "Com reservas, Inter para em retranca e tropeça no Novo Hamburgo" [With the reserves, Inter stumble and fall against Novo Hamburgo] (in Portuguese). Globo. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
6. "Goiás vence Grêmio Anápolis e garante liderança do campeonato" [Goiás defeat Grêmio Anápolis and guarantee first place in the championship] (in Portuguese). A Redação. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
7. Parreira, Mônica (5 May 2013). "Goiás goleia Aparecidense por 4 a 1 e pega Atlético na final" [Goiás thrash Aparecidense 4–1 and will play Atlético in the final] (in Portuguese). A Redação. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
8. "Eduardo Sasha vira para o Goiás contra o Coritiba" [Eduardo Sasha strikes for Goiás against Coritiba] (in Portuguese). UOL. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
9. "ELIAS COMANDA VITÓRIA SOBRE O GOIÁS, E FLAMENGO 'DEITA E ROLA' RUMO À FINAL" [ELIAS COMMANDS VICTORY OVER GOIÁS, AND FLAMENGO 'GET DOWN AND ROLL' TOWARDS THE FINAL] (in Portuguese). Globo. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
10. "Na reestreia de Abel Braga, Internacional bate o São Paulo-RS por 2 a 1" [On the return of Abel Braga, Internacional beat São Paulo-RS 2–1] (in Portuguese). iG. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
11. Ernst, Alexandre (28 September 2014). "Sasha é o destaque do Inter contra o Coritiba e leva nota 9" [Sasha is the highlight of Inter against Coritiba and wears number 9] (in Portuguese). ZH. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
12. "Ficha técnica: Internacional 4 x 4 São José" [Technical details: Internacional 4–4 São José] (in Portuguese). Terra. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
13. "El Internacional aprovecha los errores del Universidad de Chile" [Internacional take advantage of Universidad de Chile's errors] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
14. "Inter humilló 4–0 a Universidad de Chile y acaricia los octavos" [Inter humiliated Universidad de Chile 4–0 and stroll into the last 16] (in Spanish). Ovación Digital. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
15. "Inter vence Juventude e conquista o hexa no Gauchão" [Inter defeat Juventude and win sixth consecutive Gauchão] (in Portuguese). Jornal de Brasília. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
16. "Sasha alfineta Grêmio e dança "valsa dos 15 anos" em gol do hexa ao Inter" [Sasha provokes Grêmio and dances "debutante ball" in Inter's goal of sixth title in a row] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
17. "Luan desabafa após título e rebate provocações de Sasha: "Ele é um c*"" [Luan wreaks after title and rebuts Sasha's provocations: "He is a c*"] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
18. "Sasha responde provocações de Luan: "Aproveita sem pensar em mim"" [Sasha rebuts Luan's provocations: "Enjoy without thinking of me"] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
19. "A reconstrução de Sasha: como o camisa 9 voltou a ser um dos principais jogadores do Inter" [The rebuilding of Sasha: how the number 9 returned to be one of the main players of Inter] (in Portuguese). Clic RBS. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
20. "Eduardo Sasha é o novo reforço do Peixe para a temporada" [Eduardo Sasha is the new addition of Peixe for the season] (in Portuguese). Santos FC. 9 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
21. "Sasha e "nova promessa" do Santos viram o jogo e dão vitória contra a Ponte" [Sasha and "new prospect" of Santos complete comeback and give victory against Ponte] (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
22. "Santos FC contrata Eduardo Sasha em definitivo" [Santos FC sign Eduardo Sasha permanently] (in Portuguese). Santos FC. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
23. "Sampaoli dá chance e Sasha revela surpresa no Santos: 'Não esperava'" [Sampaoli gives chance and Sasha reveals surprise at Santos: 'I did not expect that'] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
24. "Eduardo Sasha também entra na Justiça e pede rescisão de contrato com o Santos" [Eduardo Sasha also takes legal action and asks for rescision of contract with Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
25. "Eduardo Sasha consegue rescisão de contrato com o Santos na Justiça; clube vai recorrer" [Eduardo Sasha gets resicion of contract with Santos through the Court; club will resort] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
26. "Reviravolta: juiz revoga rescisão de Sasha com o Santos e se diz suspeito para julgar o caso" [Overturn: judge revokes decision of Sasha with Santos and declares himself suspect to judge the case] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
27. "Eduardo Sasha é anunciado pelo Atlético-MG" [Eduardo Sasha is announced by Atlético-MG] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
28. "Red Bull Bragantino contrata atacante Eduardo Sasha até dezembro de 2025" [Red Bull Bragantino sign striker Eduardo Sasha until December 2025] (in Portuguese). Red Bull Bragantino. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
29. "Eduardo Sasha". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 May 2016.

External links

• Profile on Internacional Official website (in Portuguese)
• Eduardo Sasha at Soccerway
• WebSoccerClub (in Portuguese)