Forgotten Juventus midfielder Arthur aims to convince Spalletti & Ancelotti, Compares himself to Napoli star Lobotka

Porto Alegre, Brazil – When Arthur Melo swapped the blaugrana of Barcelona for the bianconeri of Juventus in the summer of 2020, the transfer was trumpeted as the arrival of Europe’s next elite regista. Five turbulent years on, the Brazilian is back where it all began, resurrecting his career at boyhood club Gremio and daring to dream of a dramatic return to the Italian champions under Luciano Spalletti.

The numbers since his homecoming in January 2026 read like a redemption novella: 11 matches, one goal, a 95 percent pass-completion rate and, most importantly, the Campeonato Gaúcho trophy lifted after a hard-fought final against Internacional. A minor muscular tweak in that decider has been the lone cloud over an otherwise immaculate renaissance.

Speaking exclusively to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arthur outlined why he believes the same tactical intelligence that once made him a €80 million target can now serve Spalletti’s possession-oriented Juventus.

“Luciano likes to have an organising midfielder, a fulcrum of the team, and I love that role,” the 29-year-old said. “Pizarro and Lobotka both flourished under Spalletti with possession-based, tactically intelligent football. It is not absurd to think I could adapt well. We will see.”

The comparison to Napoli anchor Stanislav Lobotka is deliberate: both players rely on close control, progressive passing and an almost allergic distaste for turnovers. Whether that profile is enough to earn a recall to Turin remains uncertain, yet Arthur’s confidence is unmistakable.

Reflections on his Juventus stint carry more nuance than rancour.

“I arrived during a period of transition at the club with many changes, and that probably affected everyone, including me,” he admitted. “I have the regret of not being able to show at Juventus what I am demonstrating at Gremio. But I learned a lot in Italy.”

Equally, the decision to leave Barcelona still prompts mixed emotions.

“It leaves a bittersweet taste, I was happy there. But Juventus allowed me to discover another culture and grow as a man, even through difficulties. Lessons I perhaps would never have learned staying in my comfort zone.”

Beyond club ambition, Arthur has set his sights on a Seleção recall ahead of the 2026 World Cup under new coach Carlo Ancelotti. While discussing his international hopes, he took the opportunity to flag two Gremio prodigies—18-year-old defender Luis Guedes and 17-year-old winger Gabriel Mec—as names to watch.

Asked to distil the experience of sharing a dressing room with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Arthur offered a succinct appraisal: “Leo is magic. Cristiano is work, hunger, ambition: a winning mentality that pushes everyone around him. I feel privileged to have played with both.”

Whether those memories of greatness translate into one last shot at Serie A glory will depend on Spalletti’s assessment of a player determined to prove that his story in Italian football is far from finished.