The new 2023 season of the Brazilian national championship got under way at the weekend and Andrey Santos helped Vasco da Gama come racing out of the blocks on their return to Serie A, having played a key role in their promotion back to the top division before joining Chelsea in January.

Since returning to his homeland on loan, Santos had already captained Brazil Under-20s to glory in the Copa America and helped Vasco reach the semi-finals of the regional Carioca championship, in addition to making his senior international debut.

The early hours of Sunday morning, UK time, brought the 18-year-old’s first match in the Brazilian top flight, and he couldn’t have asked for a much better introduction to life in Serie A, as Vasco da Gama opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory away at Atletico Mineiro.

Santos played a key role to their brilliant start, too, as he netted his first goal at this level to give Vasco da Gama an early lead. He did well to lose his marker as team-mate Gabriel Pec delivered a free-kick from the right, allowing the Blues loanee to head in from close range at the back post after just five minutes.

It got better, too, as Pec then added a second himself to make it 2-0 after 10 minutes of life back in the top flight, against an Atletico Mineiro side who won the Brazilian double two years ago and have just secured their fourth-consecutive regional title.

Playing on the left side of a midfield three, with licence to get forward and support the attack as well as leading the Vasco press, Santos continued to be at the centre of the action as the home side withstood the pressure, after Atletico had pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time, to make it a memorable opening day win with the teenager’s first top-flight goal.

Congratulations Andrey, we’re sure it’s the first of many!