Jair Cunha

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Paulaand the second or paternal family name is da Cunha."Filho" is a generational suffix meaning "son", which is used for someone whose name is the same as their father, like "Jr." in English.

Jair Cunha

Personal information
Full name	Jair Paula da Cunha Filho
Date of birth	(2005-03-07) 7 March 2005 (age 20)
Place of birth	Orlândia, Brazil
Height	1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) [1]
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Botafogo
Youth career
2016–2024	Santos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–2025	Santos	24	(0)
2025–	Botafogo	2	(0)
International career‡
2025–	Brazil U20	8	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing   Brazil South American U-20 Championship Winner 2025 Venezuela
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:50, 31 March 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:25, 17 February 2025 (UTC)

Jair Paula da Cunha Filho (born 7 March 2005), known as Jair Cunha ^[2] or just Jair, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a central defender for Botafogo.

Club career

Santos

Born in Orlândia, São Paulo, Jair joined Santos' youth setup in 2016, aged ten. ^[3] On 19 June 2021, he signed his first professional contract with the club, agreeing to a deal until 2024. ^[4]

On 22 June 2022, Jair renewed his link with Peixe until June 2025, ^[5] and started to train with the first team squad in August. ^[6] On 12 January of the following year, he suffered a knee injury while playing for the under-20s in the 2023 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior. ^[7]

Jair returned to trainings in August 2023, while entering the final stages of his recovery. ^[8] He was declared fit to play in October, ^[9] and made his professional – and Série A – debut on 9 November, coming on as a late substitute for fellow youth graduate Marcos Leonardo in a 1–0 away win over Goiás. ^[10]

On 23 April 2024, after becoming an immediate backup to starters Gil and Joaquim, Jair renewed his contract with Santos until December 2026. ^[11]

Botafogo

On 10 February 2025, Botafogo announced the signing of Jair on a four-year contract. ^[12]

International career

On 17 May 2024, Jair and Santos teammates JP Chermont and Souza were called up to the Brazil national under-20 team for a period of trainings. ^[13] On 20 December, he was included in the squad for the 2025 South American U-20 Championship. ^[14]

Career statistics

As of 30 March 2025. ^[15]

Club	Season	League			State League [a]		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Santos	2023	Série A	2	0	—		0	0	0	0	—		2	0
	2024	Série B	20	0	2	0	—		—		—		22	0
	Total		22	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		24	0
Botafogo	2025	Série A	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1 [b]	0	3	0
Career total			23	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	27	0

1. Includes Campeonato Paulista, Campeonato Carioca
2. Appearance in Recopa Sudamericana

Honours

Santos

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2024

Brazil U20

• South American Youth Football Championship: 2025

References

1. "Jair Cunha diz que cresceu dois centímetros durante recuperação e sonha com promoção no Santos" [Jair Cunha says he grew two centimeters during recovery and dreams with promotion at Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
2. "Menino da Vila, zagueiro Jair Cunha segue no Santos FC" [Menino da Vila, stopper Jair Cunha remains at Santos FC] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
3. "Conheça o zagueiro Jair, revelação da base do Peixe" [Know the stopper Jair, spotlight of Peixe's youth setup] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Meu Peixão. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
4. "Zagueiro Jair, de 16 anos, assina contrato milionário com o Santos" [Stopper Jair, aged 16, signs millionaire deal with Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 19 June 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
5. "Santos renova com Jair Cunha, joia da base; multa é de R$ 378 milhões" [Santos renew with Jair Cunha, spotlight of the youth setup; release clause is of R$ 378 million] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
6. "Jair Paula chama a atenção e briga por espaço com Lisca no Santos" [Jair Paula catches the eye and fights for a space with Lisca at Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
7. "Zagueiro Jair, do Santos, sofre duas lesões no joelho direito e passará por cirurgia" [Stopper Jair, from Santos, suffers two injuries on his right knee and will undergo surgery] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
8. "Conheça Jair, promissor zagueiro do Santos que voltou a treinar com o profissional" [Know Jair, promising stopper of Santos who returned to train with the first team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
9. "Santos: destaque da Copinha volta após nove meses e pode encarar Palmeiras" [Santos: spotlight of the Copinha returns after nine months and may face Palmeiras] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
10. "Jair Cunha celebra volta por cima e estreia como profissional do Santos: "Sonho realizado"" [Jair Cunha celebrates comeback and debut as a professional of Santos: "Dream fulfilled"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
11. "Joia da base, zagueiro Jair renova com o Santos FC até dezembro de 2026" [Pearl of the youth setup, Jair renews with Santos FC until December 2026] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
12. "Reforço na zaga" [Addition in the defense] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Botafogo FR. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
13. "Jair, Souza e JP Chermont são convocados para a Seleção Brasileira Sub-20" [Jair, Souza and JP Chermont are called up to the Brazil national under-20 team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
14. "JP Chermont e Jair são convocados para o Sul-Americano Sub-20" [JP Chermont and Jair are called up to the South American U-20 Championship] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
15. Jair Cunha at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 November 2023.