Not a bad place to start might be at the São Paulo Junior Cup, which now attracts teams from all over Brazil. Sao Paulo FC did not produce an outstanding team this year, though Sergio Motta is a strong midfielder and Diogo looks a very cultured left-back.
Santos, as always, look to have a stream of talent.Thiago Carleto, looks like the complete midfielder. More Steven Gerrard than Ronaldinho, he bosses the whole team and has a violent, low free-kick à la Roberto Carlos, that few keepers seemed able to handle. Striker Thiago Luiz, drifts in and out of the game a bit, but seems to know where the goal is. Remind you of anyone?
If you remember the 1974 World Cup you may recall West German fullback Paul Breitner. Well I don't know if African-Brazilian Breitner is named after him and anyway there the resemblance ends as he is a bustling, powerfully built right-half (to use the old terminology) very hard to dispossess,a demon ball-winner and non-stop action. I did not get a good look at 15-year-old wunderkind, Neymar, as he was only brought on as as a late sub in the game that I saw, but he is said to be a brilliant prospect.
My chosen candidate, however, will be 16-year-old, Lelé. Playing for unfashionable São Bernardo do Campo, he looks a bit skinny still but has phenomenal ball control and skill and a passing ability well beyond his years. To me he looked the only player who could think about emulating the legendary Ronaldinho.
I will be surprised if none of these names feature in the multi-million transfer market a few years from now. And remember - you read it here first!
