Cruzeiro remains active in the transfer market and, amidst negotiations with Zenit for Gerson, the club inquired about the situation of defender Joaquim, from Tigres in Liga MX.
Pitchside US, along with journalist João Paulo from the newspaper "Diário Celeste," has learned that Joaquim's name was consulted through intermediaries, at the request of coach Tite, an enthusiast of the player's football.
🦊🇧🇷| Sobre Joaquim e #Cruzeiro:
— Cristian Moraes (@ocrismoraes) January 7, 2026
Até o momento não houve contato com o #Tigres e nem com o staff do atleta, mas sim intermediário.
Saída é fácil? Não. Joaquim é titular e peça importante do time. Chegou ao custo de €7.5 milhões e não sairia por menos de €10 milhões.
O… pic.twitter.com/nrJIHCO1BG
So far, nothing concrete has been presented to Tigres or the official representatives of the 27-year-old defender. Joaquim is a key player for Guido Pizarro's team and is preparing for his debut in the Clausura 2026 tournament in the coming days.
It's worth mentioning that, in addition to Cruzeiro, Palmeiras was another Brazilian club that inquired about Joaquim. Tigres signed the defender from Santos for 7.5 million euros, and to negotiate his transfer, the offer would have to be higher than that amount.
From Cuiabá and Santos to Tigres
Joaquim’s path through Brazilian football was gradual. He came up through smaller clubs — URT, Paulista, Murici, São José-SP,, and Botafogo-PB — before establishing himself at Cuiabá. There, he earned a starting role and stood out for his physical profile, defensive awareness and comfort playing out from the back. His performances in Mato Grosso quickly put him on the radar of larger clubs.
That progression led to a move to Santos FC in February 2023. Joaquim became a regular presence in the lineup, logging more than 60 starts across Série A and Série B. Beyond defensive consistency, he also contributed offensively and emerged as one of the pillars of a back line that helped Santos steady itself during a critical period and ultimately push for a return to Brazil’s top flight.
His form in Brazil soon drew attention abroad. In mid-2024, Joaquim completed a transfer to Tigres UANL for a fee reported at around $8 million — the highest ever paid by the club for a defender. The move, finalized in July, marked a significant step in his career and placed him in Liga MX, one of the most demanding competitions in the region.
Joaquim settled quickly in Mexico. He was integrated into the first team early, featured regularly in league and international matches, and added stability to Tigres’ defensive structure. His performances — defined by timing, positional discipline and leadership — have made him a trusted option in high-level fixtures and have even sparked interest from clubs outside the region.
In a short span, Joaquim has established himself as a key figure in Tigres’ back line, confirming that his development in Brazil translated effectively to a more competitive international stage. The move to Mexico represents not just a transfer, but a clear step forward in the defender’s career.
