*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 November 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 October 2023
Carlos Augusto Zopolato Neves (born 7 January 1999), known as Carlos Augusto, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Serie A club Inter Milan, on loan from Monza. He also plays for 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.
Coming through the youth system, Carlos made his professional debut for Corinthians in a friendly against Grêmio on 8 July 2018.[3] He made his official debut as a starter against Athletico Paranaense on 4 August of the same year.[4] Carlos played 32 official games for Corinthians, scoring one goal.[5] He also won the Campeonato Paulista twice: in 2018 and 2019.[5]
Monza
On 28 August 2020, Carlos joined newly-promoted Serie B side Monza on a permanent deal.[5] He scored his first goal on 12 December 2020, in a 2–0 win over Venezia away from home.[6] He became the youngest defender in the 2020–21 Serie B season to score a long-range goal to date.[6] Carlos scored his second goal on 22 December, in a 2–0 win at home against Ascoli.[7] Carlos was nominated in the Serie B Team of the Season, finishing the season with three goals and two assists.[8]
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.[9] He was key to helping Monza gain their first promotion to Serie A, after winning the promotion play-off final against Pisa.[citation needed]
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.[10] He scored his first Serie A goal on 9 October, in a 2–0 home win against Spezia.[11] Carlos finished the season with six goals and five assists.[12]
Inter Milan
Carlos Augusto in action with Inter during a UEFA Champions League match against Red Bull Salzburg in november 2023
On 15 August 2023, Carlos joined Inter Milan on a one-year loan with an option and conditional obligation to buy.[13]
Mainly a left-back, Carlos is also capable of playing as a centre-back in both a four-man and three-man defence.[17] His main characteristics are his high elevation and his defensive prowess.[17] Notwithstanding his defensive abilities, Carlos possesses good attacking qualities, mainly his crossing.[17] He has been described as "ideal for Italian football".[17]
Personal life
Carlos holds an Italian passport through his great-grandparents.[18] He is affectionately nicknamed "l'Imperatore" (the Emperor) by Monza fans, in reference to Roman emperor Augustus.[19]