Maicon (footballer, born 2000) explained

Maicon Araújo dos Santos (born 26 April 2000), known as Maicon Esquerdinha^[1] or just Maicon, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Bulgarian First League club Levski Sofia.

Career

Born in Itabuna, Maicon grew up in Sequeiro Grande, a neighborhood of Itajuípe, also in the state of Bahia, before moving to Cariacica, Espírito Santo at the age of eight.^[2] He began his career with Serra in the 2019 Copa Espírito Santo,^[3] and subsequently established as a regular starter for the club, being named the best left-back of the 2022 Campeonato Capixaba.^[4]

On 6 May 2022, Maicon signed for Nova Venécia for the 2022 Série D.^[5] On 11 May 2023, he joined Vitória-ES also for the fourth tier.^[6]

On 24 November 2023, Maicon agreed to a contract with Nova Iguaçu for the 2024 season.^[7] Initially a backup to Italo Silva, he became a starter as Italo left the club, and helped the Carrossel da Baixada to reach the 2024 Campeonato Carioca finals for the first time ever.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			State league		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Serra	2019	Série D	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		8	0	8	0
	2020	Capixaba	—		11	0	—		—		—		11	0
	2021		—		11	1	—		—		9	0	20	1
	2022		—		12	2	—		—		—		12	2
	Total		0	0	34	3	0	0	—		17	0	51	3
Nova Venécia	2022	Série D	14	0	—		—		—		7	0	21	0
	2023	Capixaba	—		14	1	—		—		—		14	1
	Total		14	0	14	1	—		—		7	0	35	1
Vitória-ES	2023	Série D	13	1	—		—		—		—		13	1
Nova Iguaçu	2024	Série D	0	0	13	1	2	0	—		—		15	1
Levski Sofia	2024–25	First League	11	0	—		0	0	—		—		11	0
Career total			38	1	61	5	0	0	0	0	24	0	123	6

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cássio tem Maicon Esquerdinha como solução para o ataque do Nova Venécia. Cássio has Maicon Esquerdinha as the solution for the attack of Nova Venécia. ge. pt-BR. 6 January 2023. 19 April 2024.
2. Web site: As batalhas na vida de Maicon, herói da classificação do Nova Iguaçu para a semifinal do Carioca. The battles in the life of Maicon, hero of Nova Iguaçu's qualification to the semifinals of the Carioca. ge. pt-BR. 26 February 2024. 16 May 2024.
3. Web site: Maicon valoriza experiência no "time de cima" antes do jogo com Palmeiras na Copa do Brasil sub-20. Maicon values experience in the "main team" before the match against Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil sub-20. ge. pt-BR. 13 March 2020. 19 April 2024.
4. Web site: Conheça a seleção dos melhores do Campeonato Capixaba 2022. Know the best XI of the 2022 Campeonato Capixaba. ge. pt-BR. 5 May 2022. 19 April 2024.
5. Web site: Nova Venécia fecha com lateral Maicon Esquerdinha, prodígio do Serra, para a Série D do Brasileiro. Nova Venécia sign with full-back Maicon Esquerdinha, Serra's pearl, for the Brasileiro Série D. ge. pt-BR. 6 May 2022. 19 April 2024.
6. Web site: Vitória-ES acerta contratação de Maicon Esquerdinha para a Série D. Vitória-ES sign Maicon Esquerdinha for the Série D. ge. pt-BR. 11 May 2023. 19 April 2024.
7. Web site: Nova Iguaçu acerta a contratação do lateral-esquerdo Maicon para a temporada 2024. Nova Iguaçu sign left-back Maicon for the 2024 season. Nova Iguaçu FC. pt-BR. 24 November 2023. 19 April 2024.