Brazilian prodigy Andrey Santos is ready to rev up. At just 18 years old, he has already been called up to the national team and will play in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina. In an interview with FIFA+, the young Vasco da Gama player and future Chelsea midfielder revealed his state of mind ahead of his senior team debut against Morocco in a friendly match last March: “I was a bit nervous, but at the start of the game I was already calm . There is nothing to do but play and do your best”.
Andrey Santos is a versatile player who can play as a defensive or attacking midfielder, depending on the needs of his team. He also had an early maturity, since he made his professional debut with Vasco da Gama at just 16 years old. His talent was recognized by former club star Juninho Pernambucano, who argued that Santos will be a better footballer than he was.
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Juninho full of praise for Andrey Santos
“It’s hard to find an 18-year-old that smart. Physically he is a monster. Technically, he is far above the other players,” Juninho said in dialogue with the Resenha Loading channel.
“He’s going to be much better than me. He is a much more complete player. At 18 years old I didn’t play half of what he plays, I have no problem admitting it”, added the former Olympique Lyonnais player.
These compliments did not alter the humility and tranquility of Andrey, who says that his family is the most important thing to him and that he has remained the same, both on and off the pitch. The youngster also highlighted the importance of his experience in the Brazilian second division, which allowed him to play against older and more experienced opponents. Andrey was bought by Chelsea in January but still needs to get all the necessary clearances before he can play in the Premier League.
He is one of the great promises of Brazilian football, a talented and versatile young man who is ready to face the challenges that come his way. His rapid rise and early maturity make him a player to watch closely, and we can’t wait to see him play in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023.
