Different Brazilian wonderkids emerge from generation to generation. Many of them have gone on to be superstars and legend of the games. They built a successful career winning every winnable trophy at club and international level. Names like Ronaldinho, Kaka, Neymar easily comes to mind when considering players in this group.
For every Neymar however, there is a Robinho or Pato that failed to live up to the hype around them as youngsters but that is not the subject today. The future of Brazilian football is bright seeing how wonderkids from the nation are making waves across various leagues again. Featuring across various competitions including the UEFA Champions League, these guys are likely to be the next big thing a few years from now. Here are the best Brazilian wonderkids in the world.
1. Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid secured the signing of Vinicius as Ronaldo was ready to join Juventus in the Serie A. The 19-year old forward is very deadly on the flanks and is not afraid to take players on. His record of 17 goals in 19 appearances for Brazil’s U-17 is stunning enough. He played with Real Madrid Castilla for a while but he is currently a first-team member for the Los Blancos. Vinicius in March, wrote his name in Madrid’s history when he scored against Barcelona in the last El Clasico as his team ran out 2-0 winners.
2. Rodrygo
Madrid definitely have an eye for Brazilian wonderkids. Just a season after signing Vinicius Junior, they secured the signing of teenage winger Rodrygo. He joined Madrid aged 18 and was placed in the Castilla team for development. One good thing is that he has tasted first-team opportunities and has been given the chance to show what he can do. He even scored a rare hat-trick in a Champions League game against Galatasaray in 2019. Rodrygo has the makings of a superstar.
3. Pedrinho
Pendrinho os shaping up to become one of the many superstars that have been produced by Santos. The right-winger is yet to secure a move to Europe since his breakthrough in the 2016/2017 and is the oldest player on this list aged 21. Opportunities have abounded for the youngster as he has played 72 league games for Santos contributing five goals in the process. A switch to Europe is only a matter of time.
4. Gabriel Martinelli
You may have to go back to the days of Sylvinho and Gilberto Silva to know the last time a player from Brazil made an impact in North London. All other Brazilian wonderkids all tried and failed. You may want to look up a certain Wellington Silva on this. Martinelli was signed by Arsenal as a state league player with Ituano and he has surprised everyone at the Emirates already. His last goal which came against Chelsea takes his goal tally to 10 for the season. Only Anelka scored as many goals as a teenager for Arsenal way back in 1999.
5. Reinier
Real Madrid seems to be running what we can call ‘Operation Brazil’. Reinier is like Vinicius and Rodrygo is also on the books of Los Blancos. The midfielder was signed in the January transfer window and has played three games for Real Madrid Castilla scoring two goals. Zidane definitely would have given him first-team opportunities if not for the coronavirus pandemic. The creative midfielder has the making of the next Modric.
6. Paulinho
Paulinho has been one of the many Brazilian wonderkids being trained at Vasco da Gama in Brazil. The 19-year old forward broke into the first team 2017/2018 and showed glimpses of his potential scoring 3 goals in 18 league games. That seems to be enough for Bayer Leverkusen as they signed him ahead of the 2018/2019 season. His chances in the starting eleven are currently limited but it will not be for long. He will be banging in the goals soon.
7. Luan Candido
The only defender on our list is RB Leipzig’s Candido. The 19-year old is nowhere near breaking into the first team as he has been loaned to their sister club Red Bull Bragantino. The defender has a thunderous shot and loves to make marauding runs down the flank. He is definitely not the finished product yet as his positioning still needs improvements. If he can develop that part of his game, we may have another Marcelo on our hands.