East Bengal and club captain Cleiton Silva have officially parted ways just days before the team begins its Super Cup campaign, the Indian Super League (ISL) outfit confirmed on Wednesday. The abrupt departure of the veteran forward marks a dramatic turn of events as tensions between Silva and newly appointed head coach Oscar Bruzon reached a boiling point.
The 38-year-old Brazilian striker reportedly walked off the pitch during a friendly against Chennaiyin FC last Sunday, following a heated disagreement with Bruzon. This incident, sources suggest, marked the culmination of growing friction between the two since Bruzon’s arrival earlier this year.
Cleiton Silva joined East Bengal in 2022 from Bengaluru FC and quickly became a pivotal figure for the Kolkata side. He scored 20 goals over two seasons and played a key role in East Bengal’s Super Cup triumph in 2024. However, his form dipped sharply this ISL season, failing to register a single goal in 18 appearances — a statistic that likely contributed to his fall from favour.
“Cleiton Silva has been a great servant of the club and we thank him for his contributions,” East Bengal said in a brief statement. However, the timing of his exit has sparked concern among supporters and analysts alike, given its proximity to the start of the Super Cup.
The Red and Gold Brigade now finds itself with only five fit overseas players — Hector Yuste, Saul Crespo, Richard Celis, Dimitrios Diamantakos, and Raphael Messi Bouli — going into a crucial phase of the tournament. Depth and experience, particularly in the attacking third, could become a serious concern as they prepare to face Kerala Blasters on April 20 in Bhubaneswar.
The situation adds another layer of uncertainty around Bruzon’s tenure, which has already been marked by significant changes and high expectations. How the squad responds in Cleiton’s absence and whether Bruzon can rally his side in time will be key storylines to watch as the Super Cup unfolds.
For now, East Bengal must regroup quickly and turn the page on this dramatic exit, hoping that unity and performance on the field can overshadow off-field disruptions.
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