5 Brazilian wonderkids to look out for
Brazil is a gold mine of excellent players, with a rich history and a massive talent base to select from. Naturally, not all of these youngsters will be available during next summer’s transfer window, but those who aren’t will be hoping that their day will arrive soon.
As for Brazilian football clubs, they are well known for cultivating and developing young talent, but a lot of Brazilian youngsters are overhyped, especially since they have only played a handful of senior games, and many end up moving when they are very young.
But there are often exceptions – like Neymar – who stay and develop in their home country. However, given their financial constraints, most Brazilian outfits struggle to hang onto their prized assets for long with wealthier clubs in Europe usually profiting from the fruits of their labour.
The Brazilian top division is also not the most highly regarded league in the world in terms of quality, but it is the ultimate showcase for a youngster who has a lot to prove.
On that note, take a look at five young Brazilians who are poised to set the world on fire.
#5 Lincoln Henrique
The Porto Alegre-born forward has attracted a lot of interest in recent months, with both Manchester United and Leicester City keeping close tabs on the 18-year-old. Playing for Gremio, a club famous for producing great players including Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, Bayern Munich star Douglas Costa and even former Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho, it’s clear that the attacking midfielder could have a great career ahead of him.
A versatile player, Henrique has a fiery attitude and this got him sent off in a game when he was made captain after he reacted badly to being muscled off the ball. However, the youngster shot to prominence all over the world with an audacious back-heel that brought about the comparisons to both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho.
But comparisons to the aforementioned Brazilan star have only been made because of the youngster’s quick feet and ability to dazzle with tricks and flicks. But it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve those heights and it could be the Premier League that Henrique lights up in the coming years.