Otávio Costa

Otávio Costa was still the third-choice goalkeeper at Cruzeiro in 2025, sitting behind Cássio and Léo Aragão without a single senior appearance in either the Campeonato Mineiro or Série A. He had come through the club's youth ranks, signing his first professional contract in 2022 and later extending it to the end of 2028 without ever going out on loan. That wait ended ahead of the 2026 season, when he was promoted to the first team and made his senior debut on 10 January against Pouso Alegre, a 2–1 defeat in the Campeonato Mineiro.

Otávio became a regular starter and, on 28 April, made his Copa Libertadores debut in a 1–0 win over Boca Juniors, becoming the youngest Brazilian goalkeeper to debut in the competition. He also played in the group stage against Barcelona SC of Ecuador and U. Católica. He was part of the Cruzeiro squad that went on to win the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro, appearing three times in the competition.

He went on to earn five caps and played at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, facing Mexico, Morocco and Spain. At youth level with Cruzeiro, he was also part of a Campeonato Mineiro Sub-20 title-winning side, a final remembered for the four penalties he saved.

RTI Esporte reported a release clause of €60 million for international transfers, even as his valuation on the open market moved far more modestly.