Hello all, and welcome back to the blog. Back in October, I did a post on the best Brazilian wonderkids still unsigned in Europe. Since then, 7 of them have been signed (Andrey Santos, Joao Gomes, Giovani, Vitor Roque, Angelo Gabriel, Danilo, and Endrick), with Marcos Leonardo looking set to make it 8. We have an all new list this year, with more up and comers. Let’s begin.
*I won’t be putting Endrick or Vitor Roque in this list as they’ve already been signed, nor will I put in Marcos Leonardo as he’s close to a move to Roma as I write this. Players who have already been signed but returned to Brazil like Yuri Alberto or Paulinho.
Honorable Mentions:
Khellven
Christian
Bitello
10: Rayan Vitor
I featured Vitor in a post over a year ago along with Endrick as two Brazilian wonderkids in an El Clasico tug of war. Both wonderkids are now 17, and while Endrick sealed a move to Real Madrid, Vitor is still in Brazil with an uncertain future.
Time is still on Vitor’s side, and with new Barca director Deco is an admirer of the youngster. Perhaps one or two more seasons to prove himself as his (near) namesake Vitor Roque has done.
9: Rodrigo Nestor
At the age of 22, Rodrigo Nestor has made 163 Sao Paulo appearances, but may need a change of scenery. While he’s a regular for Sao Paulo, Nestor has been linked with a move to Fulham – albeit back in November – and he needs the Premier League experience at this stage in his career.
8: Deivid Washington
While this class of players is weaker than last year, Deivid Washington is a solid prospect, impressing in the Copinha, and already getting 2 goals in 9 Serie A appearances this season. However, he’s more promise than product, but he still has a lot of time, having had his 18th birthday back in June.
Washington is a prospect to keep an eye on in the background, as he continues to develop and grow.
7: Pedro
No, this isn’t the former Barcelona and Chelsea winger, or even the Flamengo striker. This Pedro is a 17-year-old winger playing for Corinthians. He’s set to be signed by Zenit in 2024, but at this point, they aren’t a big-big club.
Also, Pedro is a very exciting young prodigy who’s only just burst on the scene with 11 appearances for the senior Corinthians side, but scored a goal every other game for the U20s against players 4 or 5 years older, and starred in the 2022 and 2023 Copinhas. I hope Zenit works for Pedro, as this he is a great talent.
6: Matheus Franca
Matheus Franca is a very interesting talent. 19 years old for Flamengo, has played all across the attack as well as at Attacking Midfield and on the right side of midfield. He’s got 54 appearances already for Flamengo, and is being chased by Crystal Palace.
Palace seems like a good move for Franca if it happens, where he can showcase himself in the biggest league in the world, and with Wilfried Zaha gone, can play anywhere in the attack for them.
5: Matheus Nascimento
Staying in Brazil after his appearance on this list last year, Nascimento has been linked to everyone from Real Madrid to Chelsea to Nottingham Forest. Nascimento has done well since last year, having 11 goals in 80 appearances for Botafogo. However, some clubs may be wary of his finishing ability, with only 1 goal in 38 Serie A appearances so far.
Nascimento will have to pick up the pace to get his move, and finally get a spot for Botafogo to attract a move before his contract expires in 2025.
4: Talles Magno
Technically, he hasn’t signed for a big club yet. The 21-year-old winger has shown some talent in the MLS as a good-not-great player in 2 years of action for NYCFC. His ceiling isn’t too high right now but he can become a solid player for a top league side in the future. His skills are immense, but he “is yet to show the x-factor that delineates the good players from the great”, according to Oliver Strand of the Hudson River Blue blog.
3: Gabriel Menino
With 182 appearances, Gabriel Menino has been a Palmeiras stalwart for the last 3 years. He could just be a player who becomes a Palmeiras club legend, and doesn’t make the big move.
He made headlines in late February for trying Cristiano Ronaldo’s diet and thinking he was going to die after 5 minutes on the pitch. Menino plays mostly at central midfield or in defensie midfield, while playing in other odd places such as right back and attacking midfielder at times.
2: Luis Guilherme
Another Palmeiras wonderkid, Luis Guilherme has recently burst onto the scene with 16 Palmeiras appearances to date. He also played in the 2022 and 2023 Copinhas, and could be the next Brazilian talent to capture the eye of the media.
Guilherme was among the talents being scouted by Madrid in the 2023 Copinha, but has also been linked to Milan, Juventus, Man City, among others. Keep your eye on Luis Guilherme.
1: Andre
What a generic sounding name. Andre is a very underrated young player, and being 22, isn’t at the top of the lists of most. However, he’s top of my list and has 145 Fluminense appearances already, with 3 goals and 3 assists. Liverpool also share my infatuation of the youngster as they’re set to make contact with Fluminense soon over the youngster.
That’s it for this list. While the list didn’t feature a generational young talent like last year, it was still a solid list full of players who’ll make a good impact in Europe and the Brazil national team, I reckon. I’m Jim James, until next time.