Carlos Augusto Zopolato Neves has quietly become one of the most dependable left-sided defenders in Italian football, a player whose journey from the youth ranks of a São Paulo giant to the Champions League final stage illustrates both his personal determination and his ability to master the tactical demands of Serie A.
Born on January 7, 1999, in Brazil, Carlos began his career at Sport Club Corinthians Paulista at the age of twelve. He developed steadily through the club's renowned youth system, and in 2017 was part of the Corinthians squad that lifted the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, one of the most prestigious under-20 tournaments in South American football. His official professional debut came in a friendly against Grêmio on July 8, 2018, followed by his competitive first appearance as a starter against Athletico Paranaense on August 4 of the same year. During his time with Corinthians, Carlos made 32 official appearances, scored one goal, and collected two Campeonato Paulista titles in 2018 and 2019.
The move that would truly shape his career came in August 2020, when Carlos joined newly promoted Serie B side AC Monza on a permanent deal. Monza, a club with deep pockets and ambitious leadership, were building toward a push for top-flight status, and the young Brazilian would play a central role in making that dream a reality. He marked his arrival with an eye-catching goal on December 12, 2020, in a 2–0 victory away at Venezia — a result that drew attention to his attacking qualities from deeper positions. Twelve days later, he added another in a 2–0 home win against Ascoli, and his consistency was recognized when he was named in the Serie B Team of the Season after finishing the campaign with three goals and two assists.
The following season continued the upward trajectory. Carlos scored in the opening round of the 2021–22 Coppa Italia against Cittadella on August 14, 2021, and then proved instrumental as Monza secured promotion to Serie A for the first time in the club's history, winning the play-off final against Pisa. It was a historic achievement for a club that had long existed in the shadow of the Milan clubs nearby, and Carlos had been central to it. Among Monza supporters, he earned the affectionate nickname "l'Imperatore" — the Emperor — an allusion to Roman emperor Augustus, fitting for a player bearing the name Carlos Augusto.
His Serie A debut came on August 13, 2022, in a 2–1 defeat to Torino, but he quickly settled in at the highest level. By October 9, he had opened his Serie A account in a 2–0 home victory over Spezia, and he closed out the season with six goals and five assists — remarkable output for a left-back. The performances attracted interest from the major clubs, and on August 15, 2023, Inter Milan signed him on a one-year loan with an option and conditional obligation to buy.
At Inter, Carlos stepped into a squad competing for the highest honors in European club football. He scored his first goal for the Nerazzurri on December 20, 2023, in a Coppa Italia defeat to Bologna. His versatility proved valuable in a squad managed by Simone Inzaghi, who deployed him as a left-back, occasional winger, and centre-back depending on the shape used. Analysts described him as "ideal for Italian football" — disciplined defensively, excellent in aerial duels due to his height, and capable of delivering precise crosses into dangerous areas. He holds an Italian passport through his great-grandparents, which simplified his registration in Serie A. His time at Inter culminated in a run to the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League final, where the club finished as runners-up.
At international level, Carlos was first called into the Brazil under-20 squad in December 2018 for the 2019 South American U-20 Championship. His graduation to the senior national team came on October 6, 2023, with his debut following on October 17 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification defeat to Uruguay.
