Palmeiras continues to unearth new talents. Among his latest finds, Robert Júnior Silguero Ibañez, a Paraguayan attacking midfielder aged only 14, who has already been given the nickname “Messi of Paraguay”.
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Despite leaving his native Paraguay at the age of ten, the young prodigy is becoming a local and international sensation.
Atypical qualities and background
Born in the small town of Julián Augusto Saldívar, population less than 60,000, Robert Jr. took an unconventional path to get where he is today. In 2019, the Silguero Ibañez family made the decision to leave their home country to accept a job offer in Brazil. This is how young Robert joined the football school of Primavera de Indaiatuba, a team from the interior of São Paulo.
Boasting blazing speed and exceptional short dribbling ability, the young prodigy stands out for his ability to handle the ball with both feet, which is all the more remarkable given that he is left-handed. With a body shape reminiscent of Lionel Messi, Robert Jr. evokes the Argentinian with his speed, his dribbling and his excellent shooting precision, including at long distance.
His impressive progression through Brazil’s youth competitions quickly made Robert Jr. a target for several clubs, and it was in May 2022 that he finally signed for Palmeiras. Due to his young age, he signed a three-year training contract with the Brazilian club, which was facilitated by his Brazilian citizenship. Under current legislation, he will have to wait until he is 16 to sign a first professional contract.
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The Brazilian dream of Robert Jr.
“It was always a dream to become a footballer. Being able to realize this dream in Brazil is a blessing. Especially wearing the colors of Palmeiras, one of the greatest champions of all time ,” Robert Jr. said in a recent interview.
He and his family are over the moon, not only for his promising career, but also for the opportunity to represent his country by wearing the national team jersey.
At Palmeiras, Robert Jr. doesn’t just spark, he makes the pitch shine. During his first season, including 2023 statistics, the prodigy scored no less than 23 goals and provided 15 assists in 40 matches. He also contributed to winning the Paulista under-14 championship and the Copa San Ludgero.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Robert Jr. is also attracting attention off the field. The Paraguayan player signed a five-year contract with a sports equipment manufacturer, a rare privilege for an athlete of his age.
A first call-up for selection
Thanks to his performances, Robert Jr. received his first call-up to the national team. He will wear the colors of Paraguay in a quadrangular under-15 tournament, where his talent will be put to the test against Chile, Colombia and Brazil.
This tournament serves as preparation for the South American competition in its category, scheduled between November and December in Bolivia. After these matches, the list of those selected for the South American championship will be revealed, allowing Robert Jr. to continue to shine in the jersey of the national team.
Samba Gold 2023: Open voting!
Voting for the Samba Gold Award 2023 is now open. Choose your favorite in the men’s, women’s and under-20 categories!
