Brazil is considered the Mecca of football, a country truly belonging in football history and possessing a massive pool of talent. With a production line full of potential world class players, Brazil has always had a strong youth segment and has five World Cup titles to show for all the talent.
Over the last decade or so, the squad has gradually weakened due to the retirement or ageing of Brazil’s superstars like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Kaka amongst others. The Brazilian team has had to wait patiently to replace such esteemed professionals, and now possess a core of brilliant players like Neymar, Coutinho, Firmino, and Thiago Silva.
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In order to compliment these superstars, Brazil finds itself with a batch of highly talented youngsters aiming to establish themselves in the footballing world.
Here are the five best U-23 players already in the public eye or those who should expect to be the talk of the town soon:
#1 Marquinhos
It seems as if Marquinhos has been around for way too long to be considered for this list but the Brazilian and PSG centre back is just 22 years old. Touted to be one of the best young talents in Brazil, Marquinhos came through the ranks at Corinthians in 2002, at the age of 17.
Playing a handful games in the season led to a transfer to the historic city of Rome for a fee ranging between €1.5 - €3 million. Less than two months into the season, Roma’s manager Zdenek Zeman promoted him from the bench to a starting position.
His career trajectory zipped rapidly as he appeared in 30 games over the season, including the loss in the finals of the Coppa Italia.
In 2013, cash-rich PSG came calling for his services and acquired him for roughly €30 million, his valuation had increased tenfold within a year. Eligible for and interested in representing the Portugal national team, Marquinhos immediately received his first call up to the Brazilian squad in October 2013.
Over the last three seasons, he’s managed to win nine trophies with PSG and an Olympic gold medal with his national team.
Marquinhos has been constantly linked with Barcelona to solve their defensive troubles and replace the iconic Carlos Puyol. Considering his relatively young age, and a resume to be proud of, the future is in his hands. With Thiago Silva alongside him as a mentor and colleague, Marquinhos will be a mainstay at a Champions League club and the Brazilian team for at least a decade.
#2 Gabriel Jesus
The recent attacking icons of Brazil like Ronaldinho and Ronaldo had started out playing street football before moving up the ladder. Gabriel Jesus has followed a similar trajectory moving from street football to an amateur club called Associação Atlética Anhanguera before being snapped up by Palmeiras in 2013.
A prolific year in the youth squad led to his rapid introduction to the senior squad but due to the club’s relegation-threatening season, his debut was delayed until March 2015, a decision heavily criticised and petitioned by supporters.
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In his first full campaign in 2015-2016, the youngster became an integral part of the squad notching up 20 goals in 41 games, enough to convince Pep Guardiola and Manchester City to spend £27 million for his services.
Dubbed the next Neymar, Jesus has since been called up to the national team. Missing out on a Copa America berth due to visa issues, he made up with an Olympic gold medal and has since impressed playing alongside Neymar, scoring a brace and grabbing an assist in his debut for the senior squad against Ecuador.
The winger cum forward will be joining Premier League side Manchester City in January 2017 and a potential link up with the likes of Sergio Aguero, De Bruyne, and David Silva is an enticing prospect for the City fans and neutrals alike.
#3 Gabriel Barbosa
Yet another Brazilian prodigy considered to be the next Neymar is Gabriel Barbosa, or as he is fondly called, Gabigol. An added similarity between the two is that Gabigol was also part of the Santos youth set-up.
Gabigol made his breakthrough at the age of 16 during a drab draw against Flamengo. Nicknamed Gabigol due to his proficiency in front of goal, he managed to score 54 goals in the next three seasons for Santos.
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His dazzling performances attracted significant interest from all over Europe and he ultimately joined Inter Milan for roughly €29 million in the summer. It’s very difficult to ascertain who amongst the two Gabriels is a better prospect but one factor that points to Jesus’s favour is the current situation Gabigol finds himself in.
His career has stalled at Inter and he has appeared for the first team just once since the transfer, attracting interest for another transfer from around Europe. Barbosa has a streak of arrogance in him, a feature that can ruin a career but also make one. Now that he has descended upon Europe, it’s largely up to him to him to forge a path to greatness.
#4 Gerson
The youngest entry on this list is Gerson Santos da Silva, commonly known as Gerson. An attacking midfielder by trade, Gerson commenced his playing career at Fluminense.
Born in Belford Roxo, the youngster was first promoted to the senior squad in August 2014 and such is his talent that Italian club Roma shelled out €16 million for his services. Spanish clubs Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were both interested along with Juventus, and the Catalan club even had first option on the youngster but could not match Roma’s bid.
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Gerson is an extremely versatile midfielder, and can play as a right attacking midfielder, as a No.10 and even as a deep-lying playmaker. His skill, especially his exquisite passing ability has conjured comparisons with the likes of Yaya Toure and Paul Pogba. His box to box capabilities has brought out an exciting opportunity in the Brazilian national team.
Brazil is a squad full of attacking talent, but in terms of quality central midfielders, the team is low in numbers. Besides Fernandinho, who is 31 now, Brazil’s recognised options in the centre of the park are Casemiro and Paulinho and this presents Gerson an opportunity to grow into Brazil’s solution for this position for years to come. For now, we wait with anxiousness to see if the potential turns into reality.
#5 Fabinho
Fabinho has had an unusual rise compared to the other youngsters on this list. His professional career started at Fluminense but he remained an unused substitute in his only squad appearance. In 2012, the Portuguese club Rio Ave purchased the rights to his services on a six-year deal.
One month into life in Portugal, Real Madrid Castilla acquired him on loan for a year. He even appeared for the Real Madrid team as a substitute on one occasion. Monaco then took him to the French Riviera on two consecutive year long loan deals. He became a pivotal component of the side racking up 86 appearances in two seasons.
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The French club converted the loan deal into a permanent transfer in 2015 and his performances have only gotten better. His knack of scoring goals has seen him breach the opposition net eight times in the previous season in 47 appearances.
He has been linked to bigger teams across Europe especially to both Manchester clubs and his chance will come soon considering his rapid rise in France. He may not end up reaching the world class right back status, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he even reaches that position.
