Caio Henrique Oliveira Silva is one of those players tailor-made for modern football: versatile, positionally intelligent, and equipped with a pass that can dismantle entire defenses. Born on July 31, 1997, in Santos on the São Paulo coast, he grew up between the beaches and the dusty pitches of the Baixada Santista, where love for the game is practically a family inheritance. Now 28, Caio has already built a career filled with challenges, adaptations, and moments of pure brilliance. Whether as a left-back or an attacking midfielder, he stands out for his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively, always with the composure of someone who knows football is a chess match played on an open field.
At Monaco, the French club he joined in 2020, Caio has become a cornerstone player. His contract runs until 2027, and he has already played over 190 matches for the club, scoring three goals and providing assists like few others can. But it’s not just in Europe that he makes waves. For the Brazilian national team, he debuted in 2023 and, in 2025, is enjoying a phase of consolidation, with consecutive call-ups that reflect his growth. In a year marked by injuries and triumphant comebacks, Caio Henrique represents the new generation of Brazilian full-backs: those who think the game before chasing the ball. This is the story of a boy from Santos who conquered the Principality of Monaco and now has his eyes on the stars of the 2026 World Cup.
Early Steps at Santos and the Leap to Europe
It all began in the youth academy of Santos FC, the club that launched Pelé and countless other legends. Caio joined the Peixe in 2008 at just 10 years old and quickly stood out for his refined technique and vision. He played as a central midfielder, but scouts already saw his potential on the flanks. By age 15, he was competing in U-15 and U-17 tournaments, learning the importance of possession and quick transitions—core principles of Santos’ attacking philosophy.
In 2016, at 18, came the big leap. Atlético Madrid, the Spanish giant, paid €1.3 million to sign him from Santos just before his youth contract expired. It was a controversial departure at the time, with Santos fans mourning the loss of yet another talent, but Caio saw it as a golden opportunity. Arriving in Europe, he faced a more tactical and physical brand of football, a far cry from the free-flowing Brazilian style. With Atlético’s B team (Castilla) in Spain’s third division, he played sparingly but showed grit. His professional debut came in the Copa del Rey, entering in the second half of a 6-0 rout of CD Guijuelo and tasting the roar of the Colchonero crowd.
Those early years in Spain were tough lessons in patience. Caio trained alongside stars like Griezmann and Koke, but first-team chances were rare. He played just one official match for Atlético in 2016-17 and was an unused substitute in the Champions League. Still, those moments shaped him. “Europe teaches you patience,” he would later say in an interview. It was there that he began refining his versatility, switching between midfield and the left-back role, always with his deadly left foot as his main weapon.
Loans Back in Brazil: Lessons in Resilience
With limited opportunities in Madrid, Caio was loaned back to Brazil in 2018 to Paraná Clube. It was a season of highs and lows. He played 27 Brasileirão matches, provided three assists, but suffered relegation to Série B—the first time he felt the weight of pressure at a club in crisis. Late in the year, a technical decision sidelined him, which only fueled his determination to come back stronger. “Mistakes happen, but they make you grow,” he later reflected.
In 2019, fate took him to Fluminense on another loan—a move that would change his career. Under innovative coach Fernando Diniz, who emphasizes possession, Caio was converted into a modern left-back. The switch was perfect: 44 appearances, one goal, three assists. He debuted in the Brasileirão with a loss to Goiás but soon became a starter. In the Copa Sudamericana, he provided a decisive assist in the round of 16 to help Flu advance. The team finished 14th domestically, but Caio left with the experience of balancing defense and attack in a fluid system.
2020 brought another loan, this time to Grêmio. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything: he played just five matches before a contractual clause forced his return to Atlético. It was short but intense, featuring the Gauchão and Brasileirão. Back in Spain with no path to the first team, the breakthrough finally came: in August 2020, Monaco paid €8 million for his services. At 23, Caio was ready to establish himself in Europe for good.
The Golden Era at Monaco: Assists and Leadership
Arriving in the Principality, Caio signed a five-year deal and debuted in Ligue 1 against Montpellier (1-1 draw). An ankle injury slowed him down initially, but he quickly recovered and became a key piece. In 2020-21, he set up goals for Ben Yedder and Volland, helping Monaco finish third and qualify for the Champions League. The 2021-22 season was his explosion: two goals and nine assists in Ligue 1, making him the Brazilian full-back with the most assists in Europe. In total, 13 assists in 44 matches. He extended his contract to 2027 in 2022, cementing his status.
The 2022-23 campaign saw 45 appearances, one goal, and ten assists, though he missed the 2022 World Cup cut. In the Europa League, he was crucial in reaching the round of 16. But 2023-24 was the ultimate test: a left-knee sprain sidelined him for seven months. He returned in May 2024 and provided five assists in the season’s final stretch, tying Dembélé as Ligue 1’s top assist provider among defenders. His versatility shone—he even played center-back in some matches, displaying impeccable reading of the game.
At today’s Monaco, Caio is the unofficial captain of the defense. In the 2025-26 season, he already has seven Ligue 1 starts, with standout performances like the October match against Toulouse (coming on for an injured teammate and dominating the left flank). In November against PSG, he created four chances and completed 63 passes—impressive numbers for a defender. His crossing stats—11 in a single recent game—show how he turns defense into lethal attack. Under a new manager, Monaco dreams of the French title, and Caio is the foundation of that ambition.
National Team Call-Ups: The Yellow Dream
For Brazil, Caio’s story is one of patience rewarded. In youth teams, he captained the U-20s at the 2017 South American Championship and assisted for the U-23s at the 2020 Pre-Olympic tournament (finishing runners-up). He obtained Spanish citizenship in 2021 but never wavered: “My heart is green and yellow,” he declared.
His senior debut came in September 2023 under Fernando Diniz: 20 minutes in a 5-1 thrashing of Bolivia in World Cup qualifying. Injury kept him out of subsequent call-ups, but in 2025 Carlo Ancelotti summoned him for August qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. Now, in November, he has earned his third consecutive call-up, for friendlies against Senegal and Nigeria. “The left-back spot is wide open, but I feel ready,” he recently said, aware of Brazil’s shortage of natural full-backs ahead of major tournaments.
With four caps so far, Caio dreams of the World Cup. His ability to play center-back or midfield makes him invaluable in a squad seeking balance.
2025 Updates: Triumphant Return and Eyes on the Future
2025 has been a year of overcoming adversity for Caio. After a foot injury sidelined him for two matches in September, he returned in November with rock-solid performances. On November 10 against Lille, he was named Man of the Match despite a loss, recording 11 crosses and four chances created—season highs. At Monaco, he leads all defenders in assists as the club fights for a top-4 Ligue 1 spot.
For Brazil, the third straight call-up is a milestone. In a CBF interview, he celebrated: “These friendlies are a chance to prove myself for 2026.” Rumors of interest from clubs like Atlético Madrid and PSG circulate, but in October Caio reaffirmed that Fluminense would be his preferred destination if he ever returns to Brazil. “Flu gave me so much; it would be special to go back,” he told NetFlu. Valued at €15 million, he remains fully focused on Monaco, where he has rediscovered his passion for French football.
Personal Life: Family, Santos, and Values
Off the pitch, Caio is low-key. Married and a father, he maintains strong ties to Santos, donating to social projects in underprivileged communities. A fan of Brazilian rap and surfing, he balances the rigor of professionalism with light-hearted moments. A tattoo of the Santos crest on his arm keeps his roots close. “Football is family, but it’s also responsibility,” he sums up.
A Legacy in the Making
Caio Henrique is not just a full-back: he’s a playmaker, a resilient warrior. From Santos to Monaco, from frustrating loans to historic call-ups, his journey inspires. At 28, he has everything to shine at the 2026 World Cup and perhaps one day return to Brazil as an idol. Football is grateful for talents like him—authentic, tireless, and always evolving.
