Scouts from the best European clubs are gathering today in Brazil in search of the new golden boy. The Sأ£o Paulo Juniors Cup, the Copinha, starts, the youth tournament from which the best Brazilian players comethe event that for many is considered the largest talent incubator on the planet.
The list of stars who came out of this competition is endless. Among the latest is, without going any further, Vinicius Junior, who five editions ago left the fans speechless. scouts of Madrid and Barأ§a, always faced by the main talents in this type of competitions. Finally, Juni Calafat, the boss of the white technical secretariat, ended up convincing him to choose the Bernabeu. The rest is history.
At the time another young man caused the same impact playing with Santos. His name, of course, was Neymar. And there are more notables who later became stars such as Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, Oscar, Lucas Moura, Ganso, Marquinhos, Danilo, Casemiro… The last winner was Inter Porto Alegre in 2020 (last year it was suspended due to Covid) and the most successful club is Corinthians, with ten titles. This year the tournament will be Under-21, not Under-20, precisely because it was not held in 2021. Among the aces to follow in the current edition there are several that will give people something to talk about. This is a selection of them:
Matheus Araujo (Corinthians, 2002, midfielder)
From the U-17 world champion generation, classic number 10 shirt, recently renewed until 2024 and with very good performance in Corinthians’ grassroots football. Many hopes placed on him. Right-handed, he is expected in the tournament because he has the imagination to generate play between the lines.
Pedrinho (Sao Paulo, 2002, midfielder)
Midfielder from São Paulo, along with full-back Nathan, aims to be one of the highlights of the tricolor team and has already debuted with the first team with Hernأ،n Crespo as coach. Pedrinho has fantastic conditions to impose his game in the midfield, in addition to a good arrival from the second line.
Vitor Roque (Cruzeiro, 2005, front)
Only 16 years old, winger or midfielder, according to the Brazilian press, Ronaldo has protected him with a clause of 300 million euros. He is considered a key player in Cruzeiro’s reconstruction, with whom he has already made his debut. Due to his youth and potential he can be one of the great attractions of Copinha.
Rwan (Santos, 2001, forward)آ
Following in the footsteps of Kaio Jorge, now at Juve, the last great player to come out of the Peixe quarry. He is a scoring forward like him, but with good ball handling. Better as a second tip than as a sole reference. Even so, with a lot of smell. He has just renewed his contract until 2024 and has scored many goals.
Matheus Franأ§a (Flamengo, 2004, front)آ
The great attraction of Copinha, he has amazed in youth tournaments for his speed and verticality starting from any flank of the attack. He has already appeared in Flamengo’s first team. 100 million clause and closely monitored by Europe. Without Matheus Gonأ§alves, Mengao’s other star, he must be the one to pull the car.
Gustavo Garcia (Palmeiras, 2002, defense)
Under-17 World Champion with Brazil, he is one of Palmeiras’ future defensive arguments playing in the right-back position. Like many other Verdao youngsters, he has counted for Abel Ferreira in the last Brasileirao games and it is expected that he can continue growing as an important defender.آ
Gabriel Silva (Palmeiras, 2002, front)
The great scorer of Palmeiras youth football, he has played a lot in the Verdao first team – although without luck in front of goal – and even had minutes in the Libertadores the previous year. Copinha should help him to once again leave his name at the top, after a foray into the elite that has not had much continuity.
Leo Manأ، (Corinthians, 2004, defense)
Corinthians presents itself with two high-level full-backs, Manأ، on the right and Reginaldo on the left. Without a doubt two attractions for Timao in his attempt to become champion again, as they are daggers from the sides. Already promoted to the entity’s U-20 team and on the verge of being able to make his professional debut.آ
Matheus Martins (Fluminense, 2003, front)
Very important emergence into the Flamengo first team, he already scored in the Brasileirao and had left stellar performances with the U-17 team. Fast and with dribbling, a young player to follow who is compared to Neymar. Under the scrutiny of several important European teams, this Copinha can definitively elevate him as a star.
