Who is Vitor Reis? Dubbed as "the next Marquinhos"
Brazil is renowned for producing a large number of talented football stars. Over the years, we have witnessed numerous Brazilians establish themselves at major European clubs. Not every talented star is able to make his status in Europe. However good players do get an opportunity to display their qualities; some succeed, while others rise to prominence.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Arsenal are among the teams that are always quick to spot and sign young Brazilian sensations.
Now, at the age of 18, another Brazilian sensation, Vitor Reis, is beginning to draw interest from elite teams like Real Madrid and Arsenal. The 18-year-old has been referred to as "the new Marquinhos" due to his performances for the Brazilian team Palmeiras.
Where it all began
Reis began his career at the R10 Academy, which was founded by former Brazil international Robinho before being selected by Palmeiras in 2016 at the age of ten. The young center-back advanced swiftly through the Sao Paulo youth team's ranks, frequently playing alongside players like Estevao, Guilherme, and Endrick. He made an impression with both his leadership and defensive prowess.
Following an outstanding season with Palmeiras' Under-17 team, which won the "triple crown" (Copa do Brasil, the Campeonato Paulista, and the Campeonato Brasileiro), he inked his first professional contract with the team in November 2022.
Reis’ maturity during the matches made him a stand-out player and quickly earned him a spot in the senior team. He made his debut for them this year on June 26. The defender has established himself as a regular member of the team after earning his bow, and top European teams have taken notice of his play.
The Big Break
Reis was regarded as a rising star at the Allianz Parque and was anticipated to make his debut in the 2024 Brasileiro Serie A season after having already captained Palmeiras and Brazil at the Under-17 level.
Following consistent training with the first team, he made his professional debut as a late substitute in a 3-0 loss at Fortaleza on June 26 of this year. Reis only featured for the final 15 minutes, but Coach Abel Ferreira was sufficiently impressed by the young player's skill and poise. With Palmeiras still shorn of a number of first-team regulars, including captain Gustavo Gomez who was away representing Paraguay at the Copa America, Palmeiras selected the teenager in his starting lineup for a home match against Corinthians the following week.
Reis excelled alongside another academy product in Kaiky Naves at the heart of the Palmeiras defence, and capped a Man-of-the-Match-winning performance with a headed goal from a corner kick by Raphael Veiga to seal a 2-0 victory.
How it’s going
Following a minor muscle injury, Reis has struggled to regain his starting position in the team. With 15 appearances under his belt, his play has only gotten better. However, the club wants to be cautious with him and give him gradual nurturing.
It's certainly a sign of just how much faith Ferreira has in him that the youngster started both legs of Palmeiras' Copa Libertadores last-16 tie against Botafogo. Palmeiras are also aware of the interest from other teams and they have extended his contract from February 2027 to December 2028, with his buyout clause set at €100m (£84m/$110m).
The next... “Marquinhos”?
Being a superbly composed central defensive leader who is extremely at ease with the ball, Reis has unavoidably been likened to his countryman Marquinhos. Unsurprisingly, the teenager has acknowledged that he has based his style of play on the captains of Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain.
"I’ve always looked up to Marquinhos," he said. "I'm inspired by his attitude on and off the pitch."
However, he's also admitted that he's now learning an awful lot from his fellow defenders at Palmeiras.
"When I was little, I used to watch a lot of not just Marquinhos, but also Thiago Silva," he explained. "However, as I was progressing, I realised that it didn't need to look that far afield because here we have Murilo (Cerqueiro), Gomez and Naves. Through them, I saw what I needed to do [to become a top centre-back]."
What comes next?
Reis' first priority will be to establish himself as a mainstay on the Palmeiras squad. After winning multiple titles at the under-age level during his eight years at the club, he is eager to win more with the senior side.
Furthermore, the Verdao are reportedly determined to hold onto their newest academy star until at least the 2025 Club World Cup, despite the fact that Palmeiras' early sales of Endrick, Guilherme, and Estevao show that they are always open to doing business if the price is right.
Of course, the sharks are still circling. The Athletic claims that Chelsea, Liverpool, and Barcelona are also reportedly interested in Reis, and that both Arsenal and Madrid have already inquired about his availability. It seems only a matter of time, then, before Reis becomes the latest teenage talent to end up in Europe after rolling off the seemingly never-ending Palmeiras production line.
Cover Credits - Transfermarkt
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