Football Wonderkid Scout

Football Talent Factory goes undercover to bring you the latest players making their name in Brazil. With new national coach Mano Menezes outlining a youthful vision for his 2014 World Cup and the recent inclusions of academy graduates Neymar, Paolo Henrique, Sandro, Rafael and Douglas Costa we look at the next generation coming through.

One of the most talked about stars emerging in Brazil is that of Carlos Casemiro, who is a 18 year-old holding midfielder currently playing for São Paulo. A member of Brazil's Under-17 side, Casemiro has been likened to Felipe Melo because of his style. Over the years he has developed a rivarly with Neymar. Born just two weeks apart in neighbouring communities they signed to rival teams. Facing Casemiro's São Paulo youth side on four occasions, they failed to win due to Casemiro's ability to contain Neymar. With Neymar having made his breakthrough last season and already making his debut for the senior national side, Casemiro is likely to join him on the international scene, but will need to focus on becoming a first team regular this season and his chances will have improved with Hernanes moving to Lazio. Wolfsburg legend Marcelinho Paraiba has stated that despite all São Paulo youth players showing promise, Casemiro is a special one and he has already had his release clause raised by coach Ricardo Gomes.

The 21 year-old attacking midfielder is one of the most impressive players in Série A at the moment, yet his career path could have been somewhat different. As a junior he failed to make the grade in São Paulo's and Palmeiras youth teams and was forced to go back to the lower divisions. He was signed by Santo André as a 20-year old, who were newly promoted to the Brasileiro, but played back-up to the ageing Marcelinho Carioca, making just one game in his debut season. After his retirement when Santo André were relegated, Bruno Cesar seized his chance and lead them to a second place finish. Corinthians were quick to move for his signature and he has now supplying the service to Ronaldo. This season Bruno Cesar has scored 8 goals in 11 games and has displayed excellent vision and range of passing.

Up and coming striker Mazola has scored 5 goals in 14 games for Guarani this season and was brought through the youth ranks at São Paulo. Having been promoted in 2008, he made his debut in the Copa Sudamerica. In 2009, he was loaned out to Londrina which is a small club based in Parana, which have previously developed players such as Renatinho (Coritbia), Sandro (Internacional) and Bruno (São Paulo). In 2010, he found himself still behind the likes of Marcelinho, Fernandinho, Dagoberto and Washington so he was loaned out to Paulista FC in the 1st division of the Campeonato Paulista. There, he started 11 games and scoring twice and his impressive performances saw him join Guarani who came knocking having been promoted. With good predatory instincts in front of goal and natural race pace, Mazola is a handful for defenders.

The 20 year-old centre-back is widely regarded as one of Brazil's most promising defenders. Starting out life at Fluminese he joins previous alumni such as Marcelo and Rafael and Fabio da Silva, who have all recently come through the youth ranks. Capped by Brazil at Under-20 level, he first played in the Mediterranean Cup along with rising stars Renan, Bernando and Walter before gaining the captain's armband at the Copa Sendai with the likes of Rafael Toloi and Dougla Costa. Catching the eye in the Copinha where he was arguably the best defender and Carioca Juniors of 2008, he continued his development and started training with the first team shortly after his 19th birthday. After becoming a regular at Fluminese in 2009 he was signed by Internacional for the 2010 season and he is widely considered to be the next big export to Europe.

Rafael Tolói first came to attention of the football world at the 2007 U19 Yokohama Cup in Japan. The 17 year-old was arguably one of the best players in the tournament, showing great technique and strength. Then, in the 2008 Copa São Paulo Juniors, he came up out of nowhere and was one of Goiás top scorers with 3 goals in 6 games. This caught a bit of national attention and he was invited to the Copa Sendai, where the Brazilian Under-18 team won the tournament. Rafael has continued to represent Brazil at international youth level and has been capped up to the Under-20s. Since making his debut in 2009, Tolói has become a first team regular for the Verdao and helped his club win the Campeonato Goiano in 2009. Tolói is widely regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in Brazil and his impressive performances have seen him linked with a number of moves to Europe, with Fiorentina, Brescia, Palermo and Porto all reportedly vying for his signature.

One of the most talked about youngsters in Brazilian football, the right wing-back has already been compared to the legendary Nonato who scored 22 goals in 339 appearances. Having only played 14 matches, some may think this may be just hype, but his appearances have really caught the eye and he is reportedly on the radar of some of Europe's leading clubs. Currently playing for Cruzeiro he made his debut in 2009 and is now a regular in the starting line-up. The 20 year-old defender has been capped up to Under-20 level by Brazil and his main strengths are his speed and attacking mindset to get forward and put balls into the box. Diego Renan is one of the latest players off the Samba production line who look destined for a move to Europe. His international prospects may somewhat be restricted with the form of Maicon and Dani Alves and with new Brazilian coach Mano Menezes favouring Rafael da Silva in his youthful forward thinking Brazil squad.

The defensive midfielder joined FC Porto from Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama on a four year-deal for a fee of €3.5 million. Rio de Janeiro born Souza became the fifth Brazilian player to joins the Dragons along with Helton, defender Maicon Pereira, midfielder Fernando and striker Hulk at the Dragao. Porto who finished third in the 09/10 Portuguese Liga will be hoping the Brazilian Under-20 international will provide the steel in midfield to help in their domestic campaign and in the Europa League. A target for a number of other European clubs, Josef Souza is a good tackler of the ball, has an excellent range of passing and an eye for goal from distance, as displayed against Racing Genk in the first round tie in the Europa League. Souza looks to have all the ingredients to become a regular at FC Porto and will be hoping to catch the eye of new Brazilian national coach Mano Menezes.

Mario Fernandes is one of the hottest properties in Brazil after impressing for Grêmio. Fernandes who can operate as a centre-back or on the right side of defence is currently being described as the next Lucio. Real Madrid and Barcelona are some of the many clubs to have scouts over to Brazil to monitor his progress and have delivered glowing reports. Standing at 6ft 2 inches, Fernandes has been described as a natural leader and has good aerial skills, with the ability to launch an attack with a long ball. In the early part of his career, Fernandes has mainly been used out of position as a right back for Grêmio. Mario is under contract with Grêmio until March 2014. He transferred to Grêmio from São Caetano in March 2009 and made his full debut on the 28 June 2009, against Sport. Fernandes who has already represented Brazil at international level for the Under-20s is likely to follow in the footsteps of players like Lucio and move to Europe within the next twelve months. The 19 year-old who looks composed in possession, has all the makings of a world class player.

Maylson Barbosa started his career for Grêmio in 2005 playing in their youth ranks . The versatile midfielder is considered one of Brazil's rising stars and made his debut on 11 November 2007 in a 1-0 defeat against São Paulo. In January 2008, he featured in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior and after his eye catching performances, Grêmio rejected a £3 million bid from an un-named German club. A regular for Brazil at international level for the Under-20s, Grêmio maybe tempted to cash in on their prized asset after struggling at the foot of the Campeonato Brasileiro, with Benfica reportedly showing an interest in a deadline move. The hugely talented midfield is technically excellent and is a good passer of the ball. He is arguably one of Brazil's rising stars and will be a name to remember for the future.

The 19 year-old right wing-back is rated as one of the most promising defenders in Brazil and currently plays for Santos. He first made his breakthrough shortly after his 18th birthday for América Mineiro in Série C, where he played a starring role in América's promotion to Série B, their first since 2003. The club who have a rich history in developing youngsters, such as Fred and Gilberto Silva in recent years, as well as young centre-back Juan who is currently at Internacional. Before the start of Série B, came the Campeonato Mineiro where he was named as the best right-back and his impressive form alerted the attention of some of Brazil's biggest clubs with Cruzeiro, Palmeiras and Santos all vying for his signature. Santos signed Danilo Luiz, who joined after the World Cup and forms part of their youthful make-up along with fellow starlets Neymar, Ganso, Alan Patrick, Rafael and Zezinho.

Likened to Brazil superstar Kaka, the youngster impressed during last year’s Brazilian championship, leading to an enquiry from Dutch giants PSV in taking him on loan for the 2009/10 campaign. However, Benfica insisted he stay in Bahia to continue his development. The 21-year-old, who currently plays for Club Vitoria of Bahia, has been the subject of interest from Benfica for several years. In fact, Benfica bought 50% of the talented midfielder’s sporting rights in early 2008, giving them a controlling share of the player, with the intention of monitoring Elkeson’s progress over the following months and years. The sale of Ramires has led to the Lisbon club exploring several potential midfield additions, and the possibility of bringing Elkeson to Portugal is under consideration at the club. Elkeson's main strengths lie in his speed and strength, which have seen comparisons drawn to ex-Vitória man Hulk, though his vision is like that of Kaka's. Elkeson has awesome potential and some have even described him as Brazil's Cristiano Ronaldo. The attacking midfielder who has been capped up to Under-20 level by Brazil is now an established first team regular and it appears to be a question of when, rather than if he will move to the continent, with Benfica the obvious suitors.