EC Bahia

Finished 8th in last season, having had an excellent first 12 weeks. The City group decided to invest on the team and brought a few great players and for a moment Ceni drove them to the top places, only to collapsing on the final third of the season and collecting many disappointing results and performances. In 2025 edition of Campeonato Baiano, Bahia lifted the trophy, as they defeat rivals Vitória with a 2-0 home win and a 1-1 away draw. As important was the fact that Bahia qualified for Libertadores defeating Boston River in the playoffs. The impact of the City group investment and Rogério Ceni's good work are evidently positive. In just 14 months, Bahia passed from almost relegated in 2023 to competing in Libertadores group stage. Bahia had a less flashy transfer market for 2025, but it was still quite positive for the club. On the go, the only significant exits were Thaciano and Everaldo, who were never consensual among the fans in last season, and Biel, whose constant injuries never let him become an established player for Tricolor. On the on ther hand, there were some good new signings. Erick Pulga and Willian José are definitely improvements for the striker position, over Everaldo. Midfielder Nestor will try to revamp his career after a couple of slow seasons at São Paulo, winger Michel Araújo looks the perfect fit for the profile that Ceni likes to implement in the left-back position. The fans are excited about the return of Kayky, who was never able to live up expectations in Europe and will now be back to Bahia to prove his huge talent. Erick is a surprising new signing for midfield, since stronger clubs were also looking to sign with him. Éverton Ribeiro remains the big name on the squad, but will he continue at his fine form now with 35? Cauly, Jean Lucas and Caio Alexandre are three key players in midfield, and 'Lucho' Rodriguez is perhaps the biggest hope for goals after his adaptation to Brazil in last season.