Carlos Augusto (footballer)

Carlos Augusto Zopolato Neves (born 7 January 1999), known as Carlos Augusto, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back or left wing-back for club Inter Milan, and the Brazil national team. He is also capable of playing as a centre-back, and has been praised for his defensive abilities and his crossing.

Corinthians
Carlos started his career when he was 12 years old at Corinthians. He was part of the 2017 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior squad that ended up as champion.

Coming through the youth system, Carlos made his professional debut for Corinthians in a friendly against Grêmio on 8 July 2018. He made his official debut as a starter against Athletico Paranaense on 4 August of the same year. Carlos played 32 official games for Corinthians, scoring one goal. He also won the Campeonato Paulista twice: in 2018 and 2019.

Monza
On 28 August 2020, Carlos joined newly-promoted Serie B side Monza on a permanent deal. He scored his first goal on 12 December 2020, in a 2–0 win over Venezia away from home. He became the youngest defender in the 2020–21 Serie B season to score a long-range goal to date. Carlos scored his second goal on 22 December, in a 2–0 win at home against Ascoli. Carlos was nominated in the Serie B Team of the Season, finishing the season with three goals and two assists.

Carlos began the 2021–22 season by scoring against Cittadella in the first round of the 2021–22 Coppa Italia on 14 August 2021; the match ended in a 2–1 defeat. He was key to helping Monza gain their first promotion to Serie A, after winning the promotion play-off final against Pisa.

Carlos made his Serie A debut on 13 August 2022, as a starter in a 2–1 defeat to Torino in the 2022–23 season. He scored his first Serie A goal on 9 October, in a 2–0 home win against Spezia. Carlos finished the season with six goals and five assists.

Inter Milan
On 15 August 2023, Carlos joined Inter Milan on a one-year loan with an option and conditional obligation to buy. On 20 December 2023, Carlos scored his first goal for the Nerazzurri in a 1–2 defeat against Bologna in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia.

International career
On 13 December 2018, Carlos was included in the Brazil U20 squad for the 2019 South American U-20 Championship.

On 6 October 2023, Carlos was called up to the senior national team, and made his debut on 17 October 2023, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match lost 2–0 against Uruguay.

Style of play
Mainly a left-back, Carlos is also capable of playing as a centre-back in both a four-man and three-man defence. His main characteristics are his high elevation and his defensive prowess. Notwithstanding his defensive abilities, Carlos possesses good attacking qualities, mainly his crossing. He has been described as "ideal for Italian football".

Personal life
Carlos holds an Italian passport through his great-grandparents. He is affectionately nicknamed "l'Imperatore" (the Emperor) by Monza fans, in reference to Roman emperor Augustus.

Honours
Corinthians
 * Campeonato Paulista: 2018, 2019
 * Copa do Brasil runner-up: 2018

Inter Milan
 * Serie A: 2023–24
 * Supercoppa Italiana: 2023

Individual
 * Serie B Team of the Season: 2020–21