Brazil is always producing new young talent to replace the constant stream of players moving abroad....I just wanted to highlight a few of the players to watch out over the next few years. Some may be more obvious choices then others - if you have any suggestions, let me know:
- Lulinha - midfielder - plays for Corinthians of Sao Paulo in Brazil (mainly for the Under-17 side) and only 16 years old. His contract is valid until 2009 and has already represented Brazil at the lower levels. Barcelona is apparently keeping an eye on him;
- Alexandre Pato - forward - plays for the Internacional of Porto Alegre's first team and at the age of 17 marked his debut in the Brazilian league last year with a tremendous
performance against Palmeiras (4x1 win - he had 3 assists and 1 goal). He has played for Brazil youth teams, recently winning the South American Youth Championship in 2007 where he was the team's top scorer with 5 goals. Pato has a contract until 2009 with a 18 million euros buy-out clause. - Carlinhos - full-back - 20 year old who plays for Santos' first team in Brazil. He has already been called up to the main Brazilian National team.
- Diego Cavalieri - goalkeeper - 24 year old who plays for Palmeiras of Sao Paulo and took
over the #1 position due to an injury to legendary veteran goalkeeper Marcos. Diego made the position his own with a number of outstanding performances and took 2nd place in PLACAR magazine's 'Bola de Prata' for the best goalkeeper of the Brazilian league in 2006 - losing out to Rogerio Ceni of champions Sao Paulo. His contract runs until 2008.
- Marcelo - full-back - Real Madrid signed the 18 year old Brazilian for 6 million Euros from Fluminense of Rio de Janeiro. Marcelo scored on his debut for Brazil against Wales in 2006 and is seen as the sucessor to Roberto Carlos in the national team.
- Ilsinho - full-back - 21 year old player from Sao Paulo of Brazil who was signed from rivals Palmeiras in 2006 and won PLACAR magazine's 'Bola de Prata' for the best right full-back of the Brazilian League in 2006. Ilsinho has already attracted the interest of AC Milan and follows on the famous footsteps of Cafu and Cicinho at Sao Paulo.
- Lucas - midfielder - Gremio of Porto Alegre's star player, 20 year old Lucas made his
debut in 2005 and helped the club to win the serie B to win promotion back to the Brazilian elite. In 2006, Lucas surpassed himself by winning PLACAR magazine's 'Bola de Ouro' for the best player of the Brazilian League in 2006 - the youngest ever winner! He also managed to captain the Brazilian Under-20 youth team to victory at the South American Youth Championship recently, scoring 4 goals in the process. Lucas is the nephew of the famous Brazilian former player, Leivinha. - Denilson - midfielder - 18 year old who moved from Sao Paulo's reserve team to Arsenal in 2006 for £3.4 million pounds. He has already made his full debut for the Arsenal first team and has been called up to the Brazil main side, although still waiting for his first full cap.
- Romulo - forward - despite interest from Deportivo La Coruna in Spain, the 24 year old forward signed this season for Cruzeiro in Brazil from Gremio of Porto Alegre. He had a great season for Gremio last season and scored 2 goals in his debut for Cruzeiro.
- Renan - goalkeeper - 21 year old who plays for Internacional of Porto Alegre and currently 2nd keeper for the 1st team. Renan has an incredible 62 Under-20 caps for Brazil and broke a club record in the 2006 Brazilian League when he went for 795 minutes without conceding a goal (the record was previously held by Taffarel).
- Carlos Eduardo - forward - silky 18 year old who plays for Gremio of Porto Alegre and has broken into the 1st team in 2007 with a series
of outstanding performances for the club. His contract runs until 2009 and apparently Fiorentina and Roma have already had him watched.
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