Carlos Vinícius flying after Fulham exit has become one of the most unexpected success stories of the 2025 season. A move that barely registered in Europe — the striker leaving Fulham quietly in August — has erupted into a headline-grabbing revival back in Brazil. Since joining Grêmio and debuting on 11 August, the 30-year-old has transformed both his form and the club’s fortunes, finishing as their top scorer despite playing only 14 league matches.
His 12 goals made him the joint-sixth highest scorer in the entire Brasileirão, a statistic that would have sounded improbable after his inconsistent Premier League spells. Vinícius’ final outing of the campaign, a ruthless brace in a 4-0 win at Sport Recife, summed up the rebirth. Confident, sharp, decisive — everything he had struggled to produce consistently in England.
According to local reports in Brazil, what changed was not only the football. It was the return home. The comfort of Porto Alegre, proximity to family, and a long-held personal ambition created the ideal environment for a once-frustrated striker to reconnect with his best football.
Carlos Vinícius flying after Fulham exit: How the move unlocked his best football
Grêmio supporters witnessed something Fulham fans rarely did — a fully confident, fully settled Carlos Vinícius. His hold-up play stiffened the attack, his movement gave Grêmio a focal point, and his finishing became one of the league’s defining late-season storylines.
A minor muscle injury briefly interrupted his run, but even that barely dented his momentum. When fit, he carried the attack with a consistency that made him unrecognisable from the player who oscillated between cameo roles and brief spurts of form in England.
It wasn’t just a tactical fit; it was a personal one. In a candid interview with Zero Hora, Vinícius spoke openly about the emotional shift:
“The truth is that my family are very happy here in Porto Alegre, and that helped a lot after eight or nine years abroad.” — Carlos Vinícius, via Zero Hora
He added that playing in the Brasileirão was a lifelong ambition:
“I always told people close to me that my career would only feel complete after I played the Brasileirão. My family are happier seeing me here than when I was in the Premier League.”
Why Grêmio succeeded where Fulham and Spurs could not
Grêmio had attempted to sign Vinícius twice previously during his Fulham contract, blocked each time because the London club needed depth up front. Once he became a free agent this summer, the deal was immediate — and mutually beneficial.
For context, his numbers in Brazil eclipse anything he delivered in England:
- 8 goals in 48 appearances for Fulham
- 10 in 22 for Tottenham (2020/21)
- 12 in 14 for Grêmio — a goal every 86 minutes
Having followed South American football for years, it’s clear that the speed, spacing and transitional rhythms of the Brasileirão suit Vinícius perfectly. In England, his game sometimes looked too one-paced for the league’s athletic intensity. In Brazil, his timing and finishing instincts become strengths rather than limitations.
Although some analysts argue that Premier League defenders exposed his technical ceiling, the contrast in Brazil raises a counterpoint: perhaps system fit and mental comfort mattered more than raw ability. His resurgence suggests that narrative deserves more weight.
The numbers behind the resurgence
| Stat (2025 Season) | Carlos Vinícius |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 14 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | — |
| Goal Frequency | Every 86 minutes |
source: sofascore match data – 9 December 2025
The numbers show not just productivity but consistency — the kind that shifts a season. Grêmio, who spent much of the year fighting to stabilise, suddenly had a striker who turned half-chances into match-winning moments.
Fulham exit proves timing is everything
In our view, Carlos Vinícius flying after Fulham exit reflects both tactical logic and human context. Having covered Fulham across recent seasons, it’s clear the club often relied on him as a depth option rather than a focal point. That role never aligned with his strengths. Grêmio, by contrast, built around him.
There is also an emotional reality: some players simply thrive closer to home. Vinícius’ comments about family contentment weren’t hollow — they translated directly into performances. Football history is full of forwards whose form skyrocketed when stress levels fell, and this appears to be another example.
Although some may argue his success is “only” in Brazil, his efficiency deserves respect. A goal every 86 minutes in any top division is elite output. The fact that he produced it immediately after leaving the Premier League adds a layer of narrative that no club — including Fulham — could have predicted.
Key Insights
- Carlos Vinícius flying after Fulham exit with 12 goals in 14 games for Grêmio.
- Family happiness and long-awaited return to Brazil boosted his form.
- Scoring rate dramatically outperforms his Premier League numbers.
- Grêmio attempted to sign him twice during his Fulham spell; third time succeeded.
- One of the Brasileirão’s revelations of 2025 and central to Grêmio’s recovery.
What’s Next?
The Brazilian season has ended, but Vinícius’ form raises questions about 2026. Grêmio want him as their attacking leader, while European scouts are expected to monitor him early next year. His story — from Fulham frustration to Brazilian redemption — is far from finished.
👉 Fulham fans — was Carlos Vinícius misunderstood in England, or is this simply a case of the right player finding the right league?
1 Comment (last comment by JamesLove)
First read message
By JamesLove 9 Dec 2025 11:16
Banging goals left and right.. I was about to say it’s only Brazil - but tbh it’s a striker that Fulham could use right now
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