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Scouts from every major European club spend countless hours watching the Brazilian domestic game, desperate to beat their rivals to the next Neymar Jr. That being said, this slideshow considers some of the up and coming young stars currently playing in Brazil, who could potentially be the next big thing in world football.
Without further ado, here's a look at the top 5:
#5 Paulinho
Age: 17
Position: Forward
Club: Vasco da Gama
Speaking of a different Paulinho to the one pictured, when the ex-Tottenham man made a shock transfer to Barcelona at the beginning of the season, many Brazilian journalists mused that Barcelona had maybe bought the wrong Paulinho.
With Vinicius Junior putting pen to paper with Real Madrid for close to €45 million, another equally promising player (and potentially more so in many Brazilian quarters) is Paulinho of Vasco da Gama.
With an intricate passing ability, and great close control, Kaka comparisons have begun to follow him and just like Kaka, he looks set for a European transfer sooner in his career rather than later.
Vasco will be keen to cash in on the youngster, with the club not in great financial standing, and FC Porto are touted to be the first major club in Europe that seem most likely to force through a deal soon.
#4 Rodrygo (Santos)
Age: 17
Position: Forward
Club: Santos
With Pele in his prime, there was a short window where Santos were arguably the best football club in the world. Those times are long behind the Brazilian game and now young stars don't look to cement a career in the Caldeirão and instead look to opportunities across the Atlantic.
Rodrygo Goes has already been likened to Neymar, but if this promising 17-year-old is to emulate Neymar's rise, he would do well to follow suit and stick it out at Santos a while.
Having only made his debut for the senior side last November, he will need to get regular playing time under his belt. The next couple of months should provide that, as the Sao Paulo state championship is already in full swing, and is traditionally a tournament where Santos usually offers playing time to their seemingly infinite conveyor of youth talent.
#3 Maycon
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Club: Corinthians
Corinthians are no strangers to producing talent. Willian at Chelsea still talks of his love for the club that guided his development and with Arsenal continually linked with Bordeaux's exciting left-footed winger Malcom, both these players' styles and qualities are already evident in a player of a similar namesake grabbing attention: Maycon.
Maycon, we should stress, is not an attacker, but has slipped in based on his potential alone. Already somewhat established in the Corinthians team, it seems rather a question of when, than if, a big name European club gives the youngster a chance to showcase his excellent playmaker abilities abroad.
Whilst he appears comfortable sitting in the middle, creating play and offering the first line of defence, Maycon is also no stranger for bursting late runs into the box. Whilst his finishing can still be worked on, there is no doubt we have found a raw diamond here.
#2 Marcos Antonio
Age: 17
Position: Central Midfielder
Club: Atletico Paranaese
Similar to Maycon, this central midfielder possesses all the attributes necessary to forge an exciting career. At just 17-years-old, he is already gaining a lot of attention domestically.
It is most likely that he will first move to a bigger domestic outfit before Europe comes knocking and with Atletico suffering from poor leadership on all fronts, the sooner the better for his development.
Whilst at 17, it would be wrong to heap any more pressure on him than he is alreayd having to deal with, his exploits in the FIFA U-17 World Cup will have certainly alerted Europe's giants.
#1 Pedrinho
Age: 19
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Club: Corinthians
We close with an outsider, but a name worth remembering. Pedrinho is another product of the Corinthians academy and from his short time in and around the senior side, has already shown what he is all about.
With fantastic movement both on and off the ball, his ability to find and create space for himself and others has drawn plaudits within the domestic game already, and though he is little known outside Brazil, he is certainly one to watch.
Corinthians have no real desire to sell and while a loan deal to a low-ranked club side could afford him more playing time, it could also be the shop window that sees him leave Brazil's shores sooner rather than later.
