Santos wonderkid Angelo Gabriel will move to Europe sooner rather than later amid interest from Premier League giants Newcastle United and Liverpool, agent Marisa Alija tells Tuttomercatoweb.
Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes and Antony haven’t even hit their peak yet, and already the next generation of Samba starlets are emerging back home in South America. Alongside Matheus Franca and Real Madrid-bound Endrick, Angelo Gabriel continues to turn heads quicker than a scurrying mouse running through an owl enclosure.
Santos’ sporting director admitted last year that Liverpool are keeping tabs on the Brazil U20 international. Newcastle, meanwhile, are reportedly testing the water with a £22 million bid for a player who likens himself to Neymar and Ronaldinho.
Liverpool and Newcastle United like Santos’ Brazil wonderkid Angelo Gabriel
“He is special and full of talent,” explains Alija; Gabriel’s rock-solid mentality ensuring that he should avoid the sort of pitfalls that have claimed many a young talent.
“Above all, he is a golden boy with charisma, cheerfulness and humility. He has a great desire to learn and listen to those who have more experience than him, training and improving day by day.”
“With his talent and his mindset, he can become one of the best. He is an exemplary professional who always wants to exceed his limits. He is a fast footballer, technically strong and fun to watch on the pitch, but also very intelligent and a team player. He’s not selfish or individualistic. Far from it.”
“Angelo is a footballer that all the top clubs know. It’s only a matter of time (before he moves to Europe), especially now that he’s turned 18.”
Gabriel, who can play on both wings, celebrated his 18th birthday in December. As such, if Santos were to accept Newcastle’s alleged £22 million offer, there would be nothing stopping Gabriel from boarding a flight to Tyneside before immediately linking up with Eddie Howe’s first-team squad.
‘I see myself in Neymar and Ronaldinho’
“I’m fast. I like running at my opponent, dribbling past him and going in on goal,” Gabriel explains, his ‘Cirque du Soccer’ style very much in those Jogo Bonito traditions (TMW).
“That’s why I see myself in Neymar, Robinho, Ronaldinho. I think of the great Brazilian ‘tightrope walkers’. I’m inspired by them. I’ve studied them in detail and now I try to repeat those plays on the pitch.
“Today I want to consecrate myself in Santos then, tomorrow, who knows? It is clear that I would very much like to play in the most prestigious stadiums in Europe. I can already imagine myself at the Santiago Bernabeu, San Siro, Camp Nou, Parc des Princes.
“I dream of playing in the Champions League, LaLiga, Serie A, the Premier League, Ligue 1. How could I deny it? To get there, however, I know I still have a long way to go.”
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