Jair Paula in 2026: Net worth and Salary, Age, Wife, Brother, Transfer values, and FAQs

Jair Paula Age and Early Life

Jair Paula da Cunha Filho was born on 7 March 2005 in Orlândia, a small city in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. That makes him 21 years old in 2026, which is remarkable given how far he has already come in such a short time. He spent his childhood playing football in the streets and at local academies before being spotted by Santos at the age of ten.

He grew up tall for his age, which gave him an early edge in defensive roles. Coaches who worked with him in the youth set up have often said his maturity on the pitch was the trait that stood out most.

Jair Paula Parents

Jair Paula is the son of Jair Paula da Cunha (senior), which is the reason he carries the suffix "Filho," meaning "son" in Portuguese. His father is reported to have been a key figure in shaping his early discipline and love for the game. His mother has stayed almost entirely out of the public eye, which is a choice Jair himself appears to respect.

From the limited information he has shared in interviews, his family is described as humble and very close. They reportedly travelled with him during important moments of his career, including his first signing at Botafogo and his move to England.

Jair Paula Siblings

Information on Jair Paula's siblings is not part of the public record. He has not spoken openly about any brothers or sisters in club interviews, and no family member has been formally introduced through media channels. Icon Polls findings suggest he may simply be choosing to keep that side of his life private, which is consistent with the way he handles personal matters in general.

Jair Paula Wife and Relationship Status

Jair Paula is not married. At 21, he is fully focused on his career, and there is no confirmed partner, girlfriend, or wife linked to him in any verified source. Social media speculation pops up from time to time, but nothing has been confirmed by the player or his representatives.

This is a question that comes up a lot in search engines and AI assistants, and the honest answer is that he keeps his romantic life off the radar.

Jair Paula Net Worth and Salary in 2026

Icon Polls estimates that Jair Paula's net worth sits somewhere between $2 million and $4 million in 2026. The figure reflects his earnings from Santos, his short but valuable stint at Botafogo, his current Nottingham Forest contract, and a modest amount from endorsements and image rights.

On the salary side, reports indicate he earns roughly £50,000 per week at Nottingham Forest, with some sources from Brazil suggesting numbers as high as £90,000 per week once add ons and image rights are factored in. That works out to a yearly gross income of around £2.6 million to £4.7 million.

Given his age and trajectory, his net worth is expected to climb sharply over the next two or three seasons, especially if he locks down a starting place in the Premier League and earns a senior Brazil call-up.

Jair Paula Career Stats

Across his senior career so far, Jair Paula has made around 69 appearances, scoring 1 goal and contributing 1 assist. The bulk of his minutes came during his time at Santos in Brazil's Serie B, where he made 20 appearances.

During the 2025/2026 Premier League season, he has featured in 7 matches for Nottingham Forest, racking up 448 minutes of game time. He has had 3 shots, with 1 on target. He has not received a single yellow card during the season, which says a lot about how clean he plays for someone of his size.

He also made his name on the global stage at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States. He started all four of Botafogo's matches and scored the opening goal in their 2-1 win over Seattle Sounders. That single tournament played a huge role in convincing Nottingham Forest to move quickly to sign him.

Jair Paula and Matheus Cunha: Is He His Brother?

This is one of the most searched questions about Jair Paula, and the answer is simple. Jair Paula da Cunha Filho is not the brother of Matheus Cunha, the Manchester United forward. They share part of the Cunha surname, but Cunha is a very common family name in Brazil, much like Smith or Johnson in English speaking countries.

Matheus Cunha's full name is Matheus Santos Carneiro da Cunha, and he was born in João Pessoa in 1999. Jair Paula was born in Orlândia in 2005. The two come from different states, different families, and have no public family link. Icon Polls findings make it clear that this confusion has spread mostly because both players are now Brazilian Premier League stars with overlapping surnames.

So while it makes for a fun storyline, the brother claim is a myth.

Jair Paula Transfer Values

Jair Paula's transfer story is one of the most unusual in recent Brazilian football. Botafogo signed him from Santos in February 2025 for a reported €12 million (around R$71.5 million at the time), with reports of additional performance based add ons that pushed the deal closer to €15 million.

Just five months later, in July 2025, Nottingham Forest signed him from Botafogo for the same €12 million figure, on a five year contract running until June 2030. Botafogo owner John Textor later revealed that the move had been planned with Nottingham Forest from the start, since Forest and Botafogo are linked through ownership figures who know each other well.

His current release clause at Nottingham Forest is said to be over €60 million (around £52 million), which gives a clear sense of the club's long term vision for him. Icon Polls estimates that his market value will continue to rise as he matures into a regular Premier League starter.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jair Paula

1. Who is Jair Paula?

Jair Paula, whose full name is Jair Paula da Cunha Filho, is a Brazilian professional footballer born on 7 March 2005 in Orlândia. He plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Nottingham Forest and the Brazil U20 national team.

2. How old is Jair Paula in 2026?

As of 2026, Jair Paula is 21 years old. He turned 21 on 7 March 2026 and is one of the youngest defenders making waves in the Premier League.

3. Is Jair Paula related to Matheus Cunha?

Despite sharing the Cunha surname, Jair Paula da Cunha Filho and Matheus Cunha of Manchester United are not brothers and are not known to be related. Cunha is a common Brazilian surname, and the two players come from different families. Many fans confuse the two because they both play in the Premier League and share part of a name.

4. Who are Jair Paula's parents?

Jair Paula keeps his family life very private. His father is reportedly named Jair Paula da Cunha (the senior), which is why Jair himself carries the title "Filho" (meaning "son" in Portuguese). His mother's identity has not been made public in any official capacity.

5. Does Jair Paula have any siblings?

Jair Paula has not openly spoken about siblings in the press. Based on available public information, there are no confirmed brothers or sisters tied to his name, although he may have private family members away from the spotlight.

6. Is Jair Paula married or does he have a wife?

There is no public record of Jair Paula being married. He is 21 and focused on his football career, and no girlfriend or wife has been officially confirmed in interviews or club statements.

7. What is Jair Paula's net worth in 2026?

Estimates place Jair Paula's net worth between $2 million and $4 million as of 2026. This figure factors in his Nottingham Forest contract, his earlier earnings at Santos and Botafogo, and a small share from endorsements that young Brazilian players often pick up.

8. How much does Jair Paula earn at Nottingham Forest?

Reports suggest Jair Paula earns somewhere in the region of £50,000 per week, with some Brazilian outlets quoting figures closer to £90,000 per week. Over a year that adds up to roughly £2.6 million to £4.7 million in gross salary, before bonuses.

9. What was Jair Paula's transfer fee to Nottingham Forest?

Nottingham Forest signed Jair Paula from Botafogo in July 2025 for a reported fee of around €12 million (roughly £10 million to £10.5 million). It was a club move that surprised many people because of how quickly Botafogo flipped him after buying him from Santos.

10. How tall is Jair Paula?

Jair Paula stands at 1.98 metres, which is about 6 feet 6 inches. His height is one of the biggest reasons he is so dominant in aerial duels and set pieces.

11. What position does Jair Paula play?

He plays as a centre-back. He can also fill in as a defensive midfielder when needed, and his passing range makes him useful as a ball-playing defender.

12. When did Jair Paula start his professional career?

Jair Paula came through the youth ranks at Santos, where he had been since the age of 10. He made his senior debut for Santos in 2023 before moving to Botafogo in February 2025.

13. Why did Jair Paula leave Botafogo so quickly?

Botafogo's owner John Textor later admitted that the move had been planned in advance with Nottingham Forest's owner Evangelos Marinakis. Botafogo essentially served as a stepping stone, with Jair always destined to end up in England once he was ready.

14. Has Jair Paula played for Brazil?

Yes. He made his debut for the Brazil U20 national side in 2025 and has been considered one of the top defensive prospects in the country. A senior call-up is widely expected within the next year or two.

15. What are Jair Paula's career stats?

Across all competitions he has played around 69 senior matches, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist. In the 2025/2026 Premier League season he has featured in 7 matches for Nottingham Forest, totalling 448 minutes on the pitch.

16. Did Jair Paula play in the FIFA Club World Cup?

Yes. He played for Botafogo at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States. He scored in their 2-1 group-stage win over Seattle Sounders and started all four matches before Botafogo were knocked out by Palmeiras in the round of 16.

17. What is Jair Paula's release clause?

Reports from Brazil suggest his release clause at Nottingham Forest is in excess of €60 million (roughly £52 million). That number reflects how highly the club values his long-term potential.

18. Is Jair Paula on social media?

Yes, he keeps an active Instagram presence where he shares moments from matches, training, and life off the pitch. He tends to avoid controversy and uses the platform mainly for football content.

19. What are Jair Paula's strengths as a player?

His standout traits are aerial dominance, composure on the ball, tackling, and positional awareness. Scouts often praise his ability to read the game at such a young age, plus his comfort in playing the ball out from the back.

20. What is next for Jair Paula?

He is expected to push for a regular starting spot at Nottingham Forest and break into Brazil's senior squad. With a long contract running until June 2030, the club clearly sees him as a long-term cornerstone of the defence.