Best Defensive Midfielders in the Brasileirão (Jun 2026)

Ranked by Analytical Strength Score

Market Overview: Brasileirão Defensive Midfielders 2022-23

Our database tracked 61 Brasileirão Defensive Midfielders in the 2022-23 season, representing 20 clubs with a combined market value of €174.5M. The average market value for Brasileirão Defensive Midfielders was €2.9M, with the average age at 28.9 years old.

The most valuable defensive midfielder in the Brasileirão was Danilo, worth €22.0M and played for Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas at 25 years old. The top 5 Defensive Midfielders averaged €11.8M in market value, including Martinelli and Emiliano Martínez.

Age distribution showed the youngest tracked defensive midfielder was Murilo Rhikman (20 years, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, €250K), while the oldest was Luiz Gustavo (38 years, Club Athletico Paranaense, €200K). Research shows Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.

Historical analysis showed 21 Defensive Midfielders (34%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Brasileirão market for Defensive Midfielders remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2022-23 season.

💡 Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.

Market Intelligence

Explore Market Size by Position in Brasileirão

Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Brasileirão Defensive Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 20 clubs with €174.5M combined value.

Players Tracked

By League

Premier League La Liga Bundesliga Serie A Ligue 1

By Position

GK CB LB RB CDM

More Positions

CM CAM LW RW ST

By Season

2025-26 2024-25 2023-24 2022-23

Age Distribution: Brasileirão Defensive Midfielders

The Brasileirão CDM market shows 5 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (26 players, 43% of market). The 24-26 age group holds the most value at €69.2M, averaging €6.9M per player.

U21 years1 players (2%)

€250KAvg: €250K

Top player: Murilo Rhikman (€250K)

21-23 years5 players (8%)

€16.3MAvg: €3.3M

Top player: Facundo Bernal (€6.0M)

24-26 years10 players (16%)

€69.2MAvg: €6.9M

Top player: Danilo (€22.0M)

27-29 years19 players (31%)

€44.2MAvg: €2.3M

Top player: Caio Alexandre (€7.0M)

30+ years26 players (43%)

€44.6MAvg: €1.7M

Top player: Marlon Freitas (€6.0M)

Top Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket

U21 Years (1 players)

1. Murilo Rhikman(20yo)

€250K

21-23 Years (5 players)

1. Facundo Bernal(22yo)

€6.0M

2. Evertton Araújo(23yo)

€5.0M

3. Cauan Barros(22yo)

€3.0M

4. Patrick(22yo)

€1.5M

5. Felipe Negrucci(22yo)

€800K

24-26 Years (10 players)

1. Danilo(25yo)

€22.0M

2. Martinelli(24yo)

€14.0M

3. Emiliano Martínez(26yo)

€9.0M

4. Pablo Maia(24yo)

€7.0M

5. Fabinho(24yo)

€5.0M

27-29 Years (19 players)

1. Caio Alexandre(27yo)

€7.0M

2. Mathías Villasanti(29yo)

€5.0M

3. Erick(28yo)

€4.0M

4. Nicolás Acevedo(27yo)

€4.0M

5. Thiago Maia(29yo)

€3.0M

Market Value Distribution

Elite Tier Concentration

41%of market value

The top 7 Defensive Midfielders (11% of players) control €71.0M

1. Danilo€22.0M

2. Martinelli€14.0M

3. Emiliano Martínez€9.0M

4. Pablo Maia€7.0M

5. Caio Alexandre€7.0M

Market Tiers

High (€15-30M)1 players (2%)

€22.0M

Mid (€5-15M)11 players (18%)

€74.0M

Emerging (<€5M)49 players (80%)

€78.5M

Market structure shows distributed value with high (€15-30m) tier representing 2% of the Brasileirão CDM pool.

High (€15-30M)

1. Danilo

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas€22.0M

Mid (€5-15M)

1. Martinelli

Fluminense Football Club€14.0M

2. Emiliano Martínez

Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras€9.0M

3. Pablo Maia

São Paulo Futebol Clube€7.0M

4. Caio Alexandre

Esporte Clube Bahia€7.0M

5. Marlon Freitas

Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras€6.0M

Emerging (<€5M)

1. Walace

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube€4.5M

2. Rodrigo Villagra

Sport Club Internacional€4.0M

3. Erick

Esporte Clube Bahia€4.0M

4. Nicolás Acevedo

Esporte Clube Bahia€4.0M

5. Cauan Barros

Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama€3.0M

Club Distribution: Brasileirão Defensive Midfielders

Among 20 Brasileirão clubs, Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas leads with 3 Defensive Midfielders worth €26.5M (averaging €8.8M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 57% of tracked Defensive Midfielders.

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas

3 players • €26.5M

Fluminense Football Club

3 players • €22.0M

CR Flamengo

4 players • €18.0M

Esporte Clube Bahia

4 players • €15.8M

Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras

2 players • €15.0M

Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama

5 players • €10.0M

São Paulo Futebol Clube

3 players • €9.1M

Sport Club Internacional

4 players • €8.7M

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube

4 players • €8.1M

#10

Red Bull Bragantino

3 players • €8.0M

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas (3 Defensive Midfielders)

Danilo(25yo)

€22.0M

Newton(26yo)

€3.0M

Allan(35yo)

€1.5M

Fluminense Football Club (3 Defensive Midfielders)

Martinelli(24yo)

€14.0M

Facundo Bernal(22yo)

€6.0M

Otávio(32yo)

€2.0M

CR Flamengo (4 Defensive Midfielders)

Jorginho(34yo)

€5.0M

Evertton Araújo(23yo)

€5.0M

Erick Pulgar(32yo)

€5.0M

Allan(29yo)

€3.0M

Esporte Clube Bahia (4 Defensive Midfielders)

Caio Alexandre(27yo)

€7.0M

Erick(28yo)

€4.0M

Nicolás Acevedo(27yo)

€4.0M

Rezende(31yo)

€800K

Player Rankings

Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.

Danilo

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas • 25 years old

€19.0M

€22.0M

+15.6%

€19.8M€25.2M

Expected: €22.5M

75.3

Martinelli

Fluminense Football Club • 24 years old

€12.1M

€14.0M

+15.6%

€13.2M€16.8M

Expected: €15.0M

70.1

Emiliano Martínez

Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras • 26 years old

€7.8M

€9.0M

+15.6%

€7.7M€9.9M

Expected: €8.8M

59.9

Pablo Maia

São Paulo Futebol Clube • 24 years old

€6.1M

€7.0M

+15.6%

€6.6M€8.4M

Expected: €7.5M

57.7

Caio Alexandre

Esporte Clube Bahia • 27 years old

€6.1M

€7.0M

+15.6%

€6.3M€8.1M

Expected: €7.2M

56.3

Marlon Freitas

Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras • 31 years old

€7.7M

€6.0M

-22.6%

€4.4M€5.6M

Expected: €5.0M

55.0

Facundo Bernal

Fluminense Football Club • 22 years old

€5.2M

€6.0M

+15.6%

€5.8M€7.4M

Expected: €6.6M

54.9

Fabinho

Red Bull Bragantino • 24 years old

€4.3M

€5.0M

+15.6%

€4.7M€6.0M

Expected: €5.4M

53.4

Jorginho

CR Flamengo • 34 years old

€6.5M

€5.0M

-22.6%

€3.8M€5.0M

Expected: €4.4M

53.3

#10

Evertton Araújo

CR Flamengo • 23 years old

€4.3M

€5.0M

+15.6%

€4.7M€5.9M

Expected: €5.3M

53.0

#11

Erick Pulgar

CR Flamengo • 32 years old

€6.5M

€5.0M

-22.6%

€3.7M€4.7M

Expected: €4.2M

52.9

#12

Mathías Villasanti

Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense • 29 years old

€6.5M

€5.0M

-22.6%

€3.9M€4.9M

Expected: €4.4M

52.4

#13

Walace

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube • 31 years old

€5.8M

€4.5M

-22.6%

€3.3M€4.2M

Expected: €3.8M

51.4

#14

Rodrigo Villagra

Sport Club Internacional • 25 years old

€3.5M

€4.0M

+15.6%

€3.6M€4.6M

Expected: €4.1M

50.1

#15

Erick

Esporte Clube Bahia • 28 years old

€4.2M

€4.0M

-5.4%

€3.1M€3.9M

Expected: €3.5M

49.3

#16

Nicolás Acevedo

Esporte Clube Bahia • 27 years old

€3.5M

€4.0M

+15.6%

€3.6M€4.6M

Expected: €4.1M

49.2

#17

Cauan Barros

Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama • 22 years old

€2.6M

€3.0M

+15.6%

€2.9M€3.7M

Expected: €3.3M

42.5

#18

Patrick de Paula

Clube do Remo (PA) • 26 years old

€2.6M

€3.0M

+15.6%

€2.6M€3.3M

Expected: €2.9M

42.4

#19

Newton

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas • 26 years old

€2.6M

€3.0M

+15.6%

€2.6M€3.3M

Expected: €2.9M

42.4

#20

Thiago Maia

Sport Club Internacional • 29 years old

€3.9M

€3.0M

-22.6%

€2.3M€3.0M

Expected: €2.6M

42.3

Showing 1-20 of 61

Scout Tools

Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.

Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)

Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.

Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas's Danilo at 25 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 4.40×. That means Danilo is valued 4.40× higher than the median player in the 24-26 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.

In second is Fluminense Football Club's Martinelli, who is 24 years old, with a 2.80× PPVE. Third is Facundo Bernal of Fluminense Football Club, who is 22 years old with a 2.00× PPVE.

How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 4.40× means the player is worth 340% more than typical players their age—making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.

PPVE by Age Bracket

DaniloBotafogo de Futebol e Regatas

24-26 • 25yo4.40×

€22.0M • 340% above median

MartinelliFluminense Football Club

24-26 • 24yo2.80×

€14.0M • 180% above median

Facundo BernalFluminense Football Club

21-23 • 22yo2.00×

€6.0M • 100% above median

Evertton AraújoCR Flamengo

21-23 • 23yo1.67×

€5.0M • 67% above median

Pablo MaiaSão Paulo Futebol Clube

24-26 • 24yo1.40×

€7.0M • 40% above median

Murilo RhikmanCruzeiro Esporte Clube

U21 • 20yo1.00×

€250K • 0% above median

Cauan BarrosClube de Regatas Vasco da Gama

21-23 • 22yo1.00×

€3.0M • 0% above median

FabinhoRed Bull Bragantino

24-26 • 24yo1.00×

€5.0M • 0% above median

Rodrigo VillagraSport Club Internacional

24-26 • 25yo0.80×

€4.0M • -20% above median

PatrickClube Atlético Mineiro

21-23 • 22yo0.50×

€1.5M • -50% above median

Mateus CarvalhoClube de Regatas Vasco da Gama

24-26 • 24yo0.28×

€1.4M • -72% above median

Felipe NegrucciSão Paulo Futebol Clube

21-23 • 22yo0.27×

€800K • -73% above median

Vini PaulistaCoritiba Foot Ball Club

24-26 • 25yo0.15×

€750K • -85% above median

Rank	Player	Age	Bracket	Current Value	Bracket Median	PPVE
#1	Danilo Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas	25	24-26	€22.0M	€5.0M	4.40×
#2	Martinelli Fluminense Football Club	24	24-26	€14.0M	€5.0M	2.80×
#3	Facundo Bernal Fluminense Football Club	22	21-23	€6.0M	€3.0M	2.00×
#4	Evertton Araújo CR Flamengo	23	21-23	€5.0M	€3.0M	1.67×
#5	Pablo Maia São Paulo Futebol Clube	24	24-26	€7.0M	€5.0M	1.40×
#6	Murilo Rhikman Cruzeiro Esporte Clube	20	U21	€250K	€250K	1.00×
#7	Cauan Barros Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama	22	21-23	€3.0M	€3.0M	1.00×
#8	Fabinho Red Bull Bragantino	24	24-26	€5.0M	€5.0M	1.00×
#9	Rodrigo Villagra Sport Club Internacional	25	24-26	€4.0M	€5.0M	0.80×
#10	Patrick Clube Atlético Mineiro	22	21-23	€1.5M	€3.0M	0.50×
#11	Mateus Carvalho Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama	24	24-26	€1.4M	€5.0M	0.28×
#12	Felipe Negrucci São Paulo Futebol Clube	22	21-23	€800K	€3.0M	0.27×
#13	Vini Paulista Coritiba Foot Ball Club	25	24-26	€750K	€5.0M	0.15×

Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)

Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.

Understanding Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's Murilo Rhikman at 20 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +40%. That means Murilo Rhikman is projected to appreciate 40% as they reach their peak age in 6 years—representing significant upside before entering their prime.

In second is Clube Atlético Mineiro's Patrick, who is 22 years old, with a +30% RPP (4 years to peak). Third is Cauan Barros of Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama, who is 22 years old with a +30% RPP (4 years to peak).

How RPP is calculated: RPP compares a player's current market value to their forecasted peak value, calculating the percentage appreciation potential. A 40% RPP means the player is expected to gain 40% value as they enter their prime—making them excellent growth investments.

Recovery Potential by Player

Murilo RhikmanCruzeiro Esporte Clube

6yr to peak+40%

€250K → €415K

PatrickClube Atlético Mineiro

4yr to peak+30%

€1.5M → €2.2M

Cauan BarrosClube de Regatas Vasco da Gama

4yr to peak+30%

€3.0M → €4.3M

Facundo BernalFluminense Football Club

4yr to peak+30%

€6.0M → €8.6M

Felipe NegrucciSão Paulo Futebol Clube

4yr to peak+30%

€800K → €1.1M

Evertton AraújoCR Flamengo

3yr to peak+25%

€5.0M → €6.7M

Mateus CarvalhoClube de Regatas Vasco da Gama

2yr to peak+20%

€1.4M → €1.7M

FabinhoRed Bull Bragantino

2yr to peak+20%

€5.0M → €6.2M

MartinelliFluminense Football Club

2yr to peak+20%

€14.0M → €17.4M

Pablo MaiaSão Paulo Futebol Clube

2yr to peak+20%

€7.0M → €8.7M

Rodrigo VillagraSport Club Internacional

1yr to peak+14%

€4.0M → €4.6M

Vini PaulistaCoritiba Foot Ball Club

1yr to peak+14%

€750K → €867K

DaniloBotafogo de Futebol e Regatas

1yr to peak+14%

€22.0M → €25.4M

Rank	Player	Age	Years to Peak	Current	Peak Forecast	RPP %
#1	Murilo Rhikman Cruzeiro Esporte Clube	20	6	€250K	€415K	+40%
#2	Patrick Clube Atlético Mineiro	22	4	€1.5M	€2.2M	+30%
#3	Cauan Barros Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama	22	4	€3.0M	€4.3M	+30%
#4	Facundo Bernal Fluminense Football Club	22	4	€6.0M	€8.6M	+30%
#5	Felipe Negrucci São Paulo Futebol Clube	22	4	€800K	€1.1M	+30%
#6	Evertton Araújo CR Flamengo	23	3	€5.0M	€6.7M	+25%
#7	Mateus Carvalho Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama	24	2	€1.4M	€1.7M	+20%
#8	Fabinho Red Bull Bragantino	24	2	€5.0M	€6.2M	+20%
#9	Martinelli Fluminense Football Club	24	2	€14.0M	€17.4M	+20%
#10	Pablo Maia São Paulo Futebol Clube	24	2	€7.0M	€8.7M	+20%
#11	Rodrigo Villagra Sport Club Internacional	25	1	€4.0M	€4.6M	+14%
#12	Vini Paulista Coritiba Foot Ball Club	25	1	€750K	€867K	+14%
#13	Danilo Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas	25	1	€22.0M	€25.4M	+14%

Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)

Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.

Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's Murilo Rhikman has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 58.0. That means Murilo Rhikman has 19% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.

In second is Clube Atlético Mineiro's Patrick with a 38.7 RAU (10% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Cauan Barros of Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama with a 38.7 RAU (10% upside, 0% uncertainty).

How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 58.0 means the upside is 58.0× greater than the uncertainty—making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.

Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player

Murilo RhikmanCruzeiro Esporte Clube

↑19% / ±0%58.0

Range: €257K - €339K

PatrickClube Atlético Mineiro

↑10% / ±0%38.7

Range: €1.5M - €1.9M

Cauan BarrosClube de Regatas Vasco da Gama

↑10% / ±0%38.7

Range: €2.9M - €3.7M

Facundo BernalFluminense Football Club

↑10% / ±0%38.7

Range: €5.8M - €7.4M

Felipe NegrucciSão Paulo Futebol Clube

↑10% / ±0%38.7

Range: €776K - €988K

FabinhoRed Bull Bragantino

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €4.7M - €6.0M

MartinelliFluminense Football Club

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €13.2M - €16.8M

Pablo MaiaSão Paulo Futebol Clube

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €6.6M - €8.4M

Mateus CarvalhoClube de Regatas Vasco da Gama

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €1.3M - €1.7M

Evertton AraújoCR Flamengo

↑6% / ±0%23.0

Range: €4.7M - €5.9M

Rúben IsmaelEsporte Clube Vitória

↑3% / ±0%12.0

Range: €1.1M - €1.4M

CamiloAssociação Chapecoense de Futebol

↑3% / ±0%12.0

Range: €1.1M - €1.4M

Caio AlexandreEsporte Clube Bahia

↑3% / ±0%12.0

Range: €6.3M - €8.1M

BaralhasEsporte Clube Vitória

↑3% / ±0%12.0

Range: €1.5M - €2.0M

Vinicius BalieiroAssociação Chapecoense de Futebol

↑3% / ±0%12.0

Range: €362K - €461K

Rank	Player	Expected	Range	Upside %	RAU
#1	Murilo Rhikman Cruzeiro Esporte Clube	€298K	€257K-339K	+19%	58.0
#2	Patrick Clube Atlético Mineiro	€1.7M	€1.5M-1.9M	+10%	38.7
#3	Cauan Barros Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama	€3.3M	€2.9M-3.7M	+10%	38.7
#4	Facundo Bernal Fluminense Football Club	€6.6M	€5.8M-7.4M	+10%	38.7
#5	Felipe Negrucci São Paulo Futebol Clube	€882K	€776K-988K	+10%	38.7
#6	Fabinho Red Bull Bragantino	€5.4M	€4.7M-6.0M	+7%	27.5
#7	Martinelli Fluminense Football Club	€15.0M	€13.2M-16.8M	+7%	27.5
#8	Pablo Maia São Paulo Futebol Clube	€7.5M	€6.6M-8.4M	+7%	27.5
#9	Mateus Carvalho Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama	€1.5M	€1.3M-1.7M	+7%	27.5
#10	Evertton Araújo CR Flamengo	€5.3M	€4.7M-5.9M	+6%	23.0
#11	Rúben Ismael Esporte Clube Vitória	€1.2M	€1.1M-1.4M	+3%	12.0
#12	Camilo Associação Chapecoense de Futebol	€1.2M	€1.1M-1.4M	+3%	12.0
#13	Caio Alexandre Esporte Clube Bahia	€7.2M	€6.3M-8.1M	+3%	12.0
#14	Baralhas Esporte Clube Vitória	€1.8M	€1.5M-2.0M	+3%	12.0
#15	Vinicius Balieiro Associação Chapecoense de Futebol	€412K	€362K-461K	+3%	12.0
#16	Matheus Fernandes Red Bull Bragantino	€2.1M	€1.8M-2.3M	+3%	12.0
#17	Nicolás Acevedo Esporte Clube Bahia	€4.1M	€3.6M-4.6M	+3%	12.0
#18	Luan São Paulo Futebol Clube	€1.3M	€1.2M-1.5M	+3%	12.0
#19	Danilo Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas	€22.5M	€19.8M-25.2M	+2%	9.8
#20	Vini Paulista Coritiba Foot Ball Club	€768K	€676K-860K	+2%	9.8

Roster Pressure Index (RPI)

Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.

What This Shows

Z-Score explained: Measures how many standard deviations a player's strength is from the position average. Z-Score = 0 means average, +1.0 is one standard deviation above average, -1.0 is below average.

How to use: RPI < -1.0 indicates critical depth shortage. These positions need immediate reinforcement. RPI > +1.0 suggests strong depth, allowing selective, high-value additions only.

Current market: defensive midfielder position shows weak depth (avg Z-score: -0.00). RPI: -0.00.

Position Depth Analysis

Total Players

-0.00

Avg Z-Score

-0.00

RPI Score

Weak DepthStrong Depth

-3.00+3.0

Highest Z-Scores

Danilo+5.48

Martinelli+3.19

Emiliano Martínez+1.76

Pablo Maia+1.19

Caio Alexandre+1.19

Lowest Z-Scores

Tomás Rincón-0.78

Luiz Gustavo-0.76

Murilo Rhikman-0.75

Panagiotis Tachtsidis-0.72

Vinicius Balieiro-0.70

Age-Share Concentration (ASC)

Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.

Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)

Red Bull Bragantino's Fabinho in the 24-26 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +23.2%. That means Danilo captures 39.6% of total market value while representing only 16.4% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.

In second is Sport Club Internacional's Rodrigo Villagra with a +23.2% ASC (39.6% value share vs 16.4% player share in 24-26 bracket). Third is Emiliano Martínez of Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras with a +23.2% ASC (39.6% value vs 16.4% players in 24-26 bracket).

How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +23.2% ASC means the player captures 23.2% more market value than their numerical representation—indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.