Brazilian Futsal Star Dyego Henrique Zuffo Set to Leave Barcelona for Saudi Club
After twelve illustrious seasons with FC Barcelona, Brazilian futsal star Dyego Henrique Zuffo will begin a new chapter in his career on June 30. Signing with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ula in what sources describe as one of the most lucrative deals in futsal history.
The 35-year-old winger has agreed to terms on a three-year contract that surpasses the previous record-setting deal signed by Portuguese player Pany Varela last summer. Zuffo, who was named the best player in the world in 2024 and won the Golden Ball at the Uzbekistan World Cup, had become the most coveted free agent in the global futsal scene.
At Al-Ula, Zuffo will join fellow Brazilians Douglas Junior and Álex Viana under the guidance of Portuguese coach Mario Silva, formerly of Benfica. The Saudi club has already claimed its first official trophy this season, winning the Saudi Games. They hope Zuffo’s arrival will help challenge the dominance of Ettifaq Club and halt the rise of Al-Qadsiah in Saudi futsal.
Barcelona had initiated renewal discussions with Zuffo earlier this year. But negotiations stalled when team manager Jordi Torras offered only a one-year extension while the Brazilian international sought a two-year commitment. His representative, Claudinho Ribeiro, fielded offers from European clubs including Benfica and ElPozo Murcia, but Al-Ula’s proposal proved impossible to refuse.
Since joining Barcelona from Brazilian club Joinville in January 2014, Zuffo has cemented his legacy as one of the club’s all-time greats. Despite initially struggling to adapt, even contemplating a return to Brazil during his first few months, he eventually became an indispensable player under four different coaches: Marc Carmona, Andreu Plaza, Jesús Velasco, and Tino Pérez.
trophy cabinet
The trophy cabinet Zuffo helped fill during his Barcelona tenure is remarkable. Three Champions League titles, four Spanish League championships, four Spanish Cups, five King’s Cups, and three Super Cups, totaling 17 major honors.
When he turns 36 this August, Zuffo will depart as the player with the most appearances in the history of Barcelona’s futsal section. He currently stands at 514 matches, a number that could reach 530 if Barcelona advances to this season’s league final. His departure, along with that of captain Sergio Lozano (463 appearances), who will remain with the club in a different capacity, marks the definitive end of an era that began with Ferrao’s exit (378 matches) earlier.
scoring prowess
Zuffo’s scoring prowess has been equally impressive. After netting twice in Barcelona’s recent 5-2 victory over Osasuna Magna, his career tally stands at 203 goals across all competitions. 164 in the league, 18 in Champions League play, 14 in the King’s Cup, four in the Spanish Cup, and three in the Super Cup. This places him fourth on the club’s all-time scoring list behind Lozano (334), Ferrao (307), and Wilde (247).
Perhaps most memorable is Zuffo’s signature move, affectionately known as the “Dyeguinha”—an almost unstoppable cutting maneuver where he approaches from the wing, shifts inside with his dominant right foot, beats his defender, and unleashes a powerful shot that goalkeepers rarely contain. Despite opponents knowing exactly what’s coming, they have seldom found a way to neutralize this patented technique.
Barcelona has long anticipated Zuffo’s departure and has already secured Argentine star Luciano “La Máquina” Gauna, MVP of the Spanish Cup won by Servigroup Peñíscola, as his replacement. Brazilian defender Neguinho from Palma Futsal and Catalan left-winger Pol Pacheco from Viña Albali Valdepeñas will also join Barcelona next season, though filling the void left by the club’s longest-serving foreign player will prove challenging.
