Top 5 current domestic Brazilian youngsters who could be the next Neymar

Last year I wrote a similar article here, looking at the five young Brazilians who had the potential to make an impact abroad.

In this article, the next set of potential Brazilian wonderkids, who could take European football by storm, are covered.

But first, what about the previous predictions and where are they now?

Of the five considered in early 2018, four now play for European clubs.The only one yet to make the leap is young Pedrinho of Corinthians.

This still seems to be more a question of when and not, if however, with countless reports linking him to a European move over the last year.

He has struggled physically to bulk up and was somewhat out of favour with Corinthian's previous coach, but now under Fabio Carille, he seems to have found his feet.

This has resulted in him also starring for Brazil in the Toulon Tournament in recent weeks.

So what about the next crop of wonderkids, currently playing in Brazil, yet likely to be gracing the elite of European football soon?

As much as European clubs dream of unearthing and signing the next big star, youngsters playing in Brazil now dream of walking out to the Champions League anthem and emulating their heros who paved the way for Joga Bonito to flourish in Europe.

With the domestic game in Brazil now suffering from it's better talent being sold off abroad at the first signs of potential, European clubs often look to bring youth talent over sooner than they once may have. This is often in a bid to allow them to adapt to the faster pace and more physical style than what the Brasileirão currently offers.

But why does Europe keep looking to Brazil? Despite it's domestic leagues regression in overall quality in recent years, it still produces a unique type of player that even Europe's best acadmies somehow still struggle to create.

The likes of Romario, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka and Neymar had raw talent you can rarely train and ever since their successes, scouts from all across Europe's leagues continue to look at emerging talent in Brazil.

Move through this slideshow as it highlights the next top 5 youngsters and potential sta ready to take the leap!

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#5 Everton Soares 'Cebolinha'

Brazil v Panama - International Friendly

Age: 23, Attacking Midfielder/Forward, Gremio

2019 Club stats:

Appearances: 12

Goals: 6

Assists: 6

Everton developed exceptional dribbling in his native Ceara, before taking his chance at the top of South American football with Gremio.

He now looks ready to take another step up again, being the stand-out current performer in the Copa America, with Europe the expected destination for him next.

At 23 years old, Everton is certainly not the youngest of the five, but by staying in Brazil longer than some may have before him, he has had a wealth of first team football experience. He could have languished on the bench had he packed his bags for Europe when he first surfaced during his teens.

Comfortable as a left winger, Everton often enjoys cutting inside, though he has also featured in the right wing, played the No. 10 role and even been utilised as a lone striker.

His pace, link-up play and precision finishing have been devasting in both domestic and continental tournaments. Gremio's loss will certainly be a huge gain for whichever club does give Everton his chance abroad.

Just one of a handful domestic players called up to Tite's Selecão side for the Copa America, he has taken his chances in Neymar's absence, being named Man of the Match and already claiming two goals during the group phase.

Rest assured, Europe's scouts will be watching and should he continue in his current fine form, we should expect to see him in Europe by the end of the summer.

#4 Pedro Guilherme

Pedro Guilherme had previously been the subject of a reported €30 million Real Madrid offer

Age: 21, Forward, Fluminese

2019 Club stats:

Appearances: 5

Goals: 3

*Only recently back from injury

Real Madrid already had an agreement in place to sign Pedro Guilherme, just days before a serious injury dashed any hopes of completing the deal.

Until now, the rumoured €30 million deal has yet to be revisited, as Pedro now enters his third month of competitive football since recovery.

Whilst Real Madrid may have been put-off by what could some feared would be a recurring or serious injury issue, Pedro has been quick to get back in form.

The target man was called up to Brazil's youth squad for the Toulon Tournament (which Brazil have since gone on to win), under Brazil senior manager Tite's recommendation.

Having already scored in France, no doubt the plethora of European scouts which were in attendance at the tournament will have taken note of his abilities; especially his shot power and quick acceleration in and around the box.

Many in Brazil believe it is just a matter of time before serious interest in the player resurfaces and Pedro has already been outspoken about his own desire to test his abilities abroad.

#3 Antony

Sao Paulo's Antony uses his plethora of skills to trouble defenders

Age: 19, Forward (RW), São Paulo

2019 Club stats:

Appearances: 31

Goals: 6

At just 19, Antony, a product of the famous Cotia youth academy, has already established himself as the favoured right winger for Sao Paulo this season.

A master of a creative trick or dummy, Antony relishes teasing defenders by slowing down the pace of an attack considerably on the right wing, before a quick dummy sets him off; quickly accelerating away from the defenders.

With a new contract signed until 2023, a release clause of €50 million has been included, Sao Paulo are well aware of the talent Antony possesses and the likelihood of a future move away from Brazil.

Antony boasts a powerful strike for a slender winger. Whilst his goalscoring ability is not his main asset, he does not shy away from cutting inside and taking aim with his left.

Whilst it may be an exaggeration to describe Antony as ambidextrous, he does display great competence at delivering often inch-perfect passes, crosses and indeed shots on goal with either foot.

As one of the more established players profiled in this list, Antony already lays claim to a growing trophy cabinet and the man from Cotia will be hoping to add some European trophies to the mix as his career progresses.

#2 Reinier Jesus

Already being compared to the great Kaka, at only 17, Reinier already looks set for a bright future

Age: 16 years old, Midfielder, Flamengo

2019 Club stats (youth team):

Appearances: 14

Goals: 7

At just 16, Reinier was being linked with moves away from Brazil long before he even made a senior club appearance.

Having dazzled in the youth set-up for both club and country, Reinier has been turning heads abroad, as clubs look to sign up the next Vinicius Jr. or Rodrygo ahead of their rivals.

Clubs in Europe still generally struggle to produce the type of talent Reinier seems to naturally possess in abundance and as a result, he will likely command a high transfer fee- even if it means waiting a while before he can be released to join the buying club (due to transfer age regulations).

A typical No.10 player, Reinier has great pace, swift acceleration and fantastic vision to bring other players around him into the game.

Still being so young, his physical development should be monitored, though his frame is already solid and he always appears strong on the ball.

He also has unusually long legs for a traditional Brazilian No. 10, though he utilises this to his advantage during any opportunity for a swift counter attack.

Flamengo, like their rivals Fluminese, have an exceptional conveyor belt of youth talent- Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Jr. being just two recent graduates to make headlines across the Atlantic. Reinier, may very well be the next!

#1 João Pedro

João Pedro, at just 17 is fearless in front of goal- here causing havoc along the Flamengo defence

Age:17, Forward, Fluminese

2019 Club stats:

Appearances: 16

Goals: 9

It is safe to say Joao Pedro has exploded onto the domestic scene in Brazil and much sooner than many had initially expected.

Even at a younger age, Joao Pedro had attracted internationally attention. Last year Watford had already secured a deal to bring him over to England in January 2020. Highlighted as one to develop for the future, he has since shown he may be ready to step up sooner than first thought.

With Pedro Guilherme in Toulon, Joao Pedro has taken his chance at Fluminese with both hands; scoring consistently and lighting up the Brasileirão in recent weeks, with his flashy goalscoring displays. At one point last month, he scored seven goals in just four matches.

What is most striking about Joao Pedro, is not only his positional be so effective in and around the box, but also his impressive physical attributes given his age.

A very competent header of the ball, he offers options from the air and his jumping range often troubles defenders. His long striding style often bring sback memories of Rivaldo, to whom he is already being compared with.

Whilst Watford have a deal in place for €10 million this coming January, it is possible that another club may wish to take him sooner- with Watford pocketing €20 million of whatever the final price would be.

Whilst not having Joao Pedro would certainly be a loss to Watford, if current evidence is anything to go by, it is clearly a smart investment and if he continues in his current vein of form he will soon be having Europe's biggest and richest knocking at the door.

Brazil never seems to disappoint when it comes to producing exceptional youth talent and despite not qualifying for this years U-20 World Cup, the domestic league continues to unearth the next generation of stars.

We will be revisiting the players focused on here in the near future, to check in on their progress and see if any may have already made the leap across the pond!