Bruna Santos Nhaia

Gotham FC, 2022–present

On 23 August 2022, Santos transferred Bruninha to NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League for an undisclosed fee. She made one appearance in 2022 and 17 league appearances during the 2023 season, in which Gotham placed sixth. She scored her first NWSL goal on 21 May 2023, becoming the youngest goal scorer in club history at 20 years of age. During the month of May she was named Player of the Week for Week 9 and appeared on the Team of the Month for her strong defensive and attacking play.

She played in every minute of Gotham's postseason run, scoring a crucial assist in the quarter final match against the North Carolina Courage and playing in a defense that allowed one goal in three games. Gotham FC lifted the NWSL Championship trophy on 11 November 2023. She is currently under contract through the 2027 season . In November 2025, she performed a stepover assist to Rose Lavelle, who scored the lone goal in a win against Washington Spirit in the 2025 NWSL Championship final.

International career Bruninha has made appearances for Brazil at the under-17, under-20, and senior levels. In 2023 she appeared in the SheBelieves Cup and made her first World Cup appearance in a 4–0 group stage win over Panama.

Style of play Bruninha is a right-footed defender who typically plays on the right side of a back four as a right back, though she occasionally plays on the opposite side of the field. Upon re-signing Bruninha in 2023, NJ/NY Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós described her as having "great skill on the ball, and she is strong in 1v1 defending. She can read the game well, and has the ability to be a dangerous part of our attack."

Total!!9!!0

Club

Honours Gotham FC NWSL Championship: 2023, 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup: 2026 CONCACAF W Champions Cup: 2024–25

Brazil U20 South American Under-20 Women's Football Championship: 2022

Individual ESPN Bola de Prata: 2021 NWSL Team of the Month: May 2023