XtraTime Web Desk: Right when the most of the other big clubs around the globe are running behind the established names of the transfer market, Spanish giant Real Madrid C.F completes the signing of arguably the ‘biggest prospect’ in Brazil football, the lad, who already has the tag of the ‘next Neymar’ at the moment – Rodrygo at a whooping £40m.
He had been represented a crowning moment on the Bernabeu’s hallowed turf taken directly from his official unveiling for the 13-times European champions Real Madrid.
There the 18-year-old will link up with fellow Brazilian starlet Vinicius Jr, Japanese sensation Takefusa Kubo and more senior recent signings such as Eden Hazard. Possibly, still to come, is Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.
While there is plenty of road ahead, the journey is already complete for the Goeses. He was born in the same industrial town as Ederson, Osasco, in the western reaches of Latin America’s largest metropolis, at the turn of 2001.
He was the top scorer with 20 goals. By 14, he was voted the best player of the Copa Nike and went on to impress Zico in his namesake competition for the U15s – which prompted the former Brazil legend to comment that ‘Rodrygo boasts a lot of technical quality, ability and plays for the team’ while having ‘a beautiful future ahead.’
Now his parents have witnessed their only son being picked up by Santos – the club that famously nurtured Pele and Neymar – as a 10 year old for its futsal team. He then turned professional and was snapped up by a European giant a year and three days ago for a tidy €45million (£40m) sum.
Just as they had when Real came up with a similar fee for Vinicius, football fans around the planet, and even some who support rival outfits in his homeland, where tribalism runs deep, scoffed at Florentino Perez’s outlay on Goes.