Sport
Brazilian football players: Who will be the next Neymar?
The amount of talent to emerge from Brazil is so high that the South-American country is, by far, the biggest exporter of football players to Europe, with many Brazilian football players trying their luck overseas each season.
According to a study performed by the International Centre for Sports Studies in 2019, Brazil is at the top of the rankings for countries exporting footballers. In total, 1,330 players from Brazil play in 147 leagues across the world.
In this article, we look at 5 Brazilian young football talents who are still playing the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, commonly known as the Brasileirão, but could be set for big moves soon. Who will be the next Neymar?
5 Brazilian football players who could move abroad
Matheus Henrique (São Paulo)
The 22-year-old Brazilian football player is currently playing for Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense and made his first appearance in the Brazil national team at the end of 2019, in a friendly game against Senegal. The midfielder is considered to be the future replacement for Fernandinho in Brazil’s national team but his style is often compared to that of Barcelona’s Arthur, having the talent to score goals from outside the box.
According to the latest summer transfer rumors, Man City, Barcelona, Monaco and Shakhtar Donetsk are all reported to be watching 22-year-old Matheus Henrique. With Man City’s current defensive midfielder Fernandinho already 35-years-old, Matheus Henrique could replace him at the Etihad.
Gabriel Veron (Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras)
Gabriel Veron is only 17-years-old but is already on the radar of countless top clubs in Europe. The right-winger, who was named after Argentina legend Veron, is currently playing for Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras but is likely to move to a bigger club this summer. Arsenal are rumored to be interested in signing one of the most talented Brazilian football players under 20 and are willing to pay the $32.5M price tag put on his head.
Evanilson (Fluminense Football Club)
Evanilson started his career as a winger during but, when he moved to Samorin, he was deployed as a striker. Contrary to other Brazil football talents in this list, Evanilson never played for the Brazil youth leagues and was not considered to be a big talent until recently. However, his rapid progress has not gone unnoticed and European clubs are keeping their eye on the exciting prospect.
According to Brazilian newspapers, Liverpool interested and Crystal Palace have made a bid for the Fluminense midfielder, with the 20-year-old forward feeling undervalued by his current club and having no intention of extending his contract. It expires at the end of the 2020/21 season and he is free to negotiatiate with clubs from January.
Luan Cândido (Red Bull Bragantino)
Candido is a left-back by trade but can play as a left-winger too. The Brazilian footballer has already been capped at Brazil U17 and U20 level. However, he is still waiting for Brazil manager Tito to give him a chance in the first team. Candido is a player whose style of playing is often compared to that of Real Madrid’s Marcelo.
In 2019, RB Leipzig completed the signing of the Brazilian left-back from SE Palmeiras on a four-year contract. Cândido was only 18 at the moment and on the radar of several European clubs but, ultimately, he signed a contract with the Bundesliga club. Luan Candido is currently on a loan spell with Red Bull Bragantino until the summer of 2021 so European fans will have to wait a further year to see him in action.
Jean Pyerre (Grêmio)
Another young Brazilian talent to keep an eye on is Jean Pyerre. The 22-year-old playmaker is currently playing for Grêmio but is looking for a move to Europe. The central midfielder was flying under the radar as he was not playing for Palmeiras or Flamengo but has begun to get noticed more recently. AS Monaco inquired after the player at the end of 2019 and could try again this summer.
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