Crystal Palace’s Brazilian loanee Matheus França is back in the spotlight at home. Globo Esporte has published an overview of how his spell at Vasco da Gama is going so far.
The 21-year-old joined the Rio club in the last transfer window but is still waiting for his first start. He has played six matches and accumulated just 118 minutes on the pitch. Among Vasco’s recent signings, he is the only one yet to feature from the start.
According to the Brazilian outlet, the club considers this a normal stage of adaptation. França arrived without full match fitness and is working on his physical condition. During the current international break, he has been training intensely to improve sharpness and fight for a more prominent role.
At Crystal Palace, his progress was interrupted by a series of injuries (five in total) including groin and rib issues. He never managed to build rhythm, and his last run of four consecutive games came back in January 2024.
Vasco’s technical staff and board are handling the situation with patience. Manager Fernando Diniz, along with president Pedrinho and sporting director Felipe, were all involved in bringing him in. They still believe he can become a key piece of the team, at least as a regular substitute in the short term.
In the words of Globo Esporte, the idea is that he can soon become a “12th player” for Diniz’s team: a reliable impact option off the bench, with a medium-term view of earning a starting role.
França’s best moment so far came in the Copa do Brasil. He scored in the decisive penalty shootout against Botafogo, helping Vasco reach the semifinals. Despite limited minutes, his professionalism and attitude have earned praise from coaches and teammates.
The loan deal with Crystal Palace runs until the end of the 2025 Brazilian season, with no option to buy. Palace still see him as a long-term investment and expect him to return to London next year. The hope is that consistent minutes in Brazil will help him regain rhythm and confidence.
If França can stay fit and rediscover the spark that made him one of Flamengo’s brightest talents, both clubs could benefit. Vasco in their domestic campaign, and Palace with a more mature, match-ready player back in South London.
