Jair Cunha

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Paula and 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 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 Santos.

Jair Cunha

Personal information
Full name	Jair Paula da Cunha Filho
Date of birth	(2005-03-07) 7 March 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth	Orlândia, Brazil
Height	1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)[1]
Position(s)	Centre back
Team information
Current team	Santos
Number	32
Youth career
2016–2024	Santos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–	Santos	24	(0)
International career‡
2025–	Brazil U20	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:33, 5 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 04:32, 26 January 2025 (UTC)

Club career

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]

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.^[12] On 20 December, he was included in the squad for the 2025 South American U-20 Championship.^[13]

Career statistics

As of 5 November 2024.^[14]

Club	Season	League			State League		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
Career total			22	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	24	0

Honours

Santos

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2024

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. "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.
13. "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.
14. Jair Cunha at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 November 2023.