This phenomenon is not new, but it is increasingly exacerbated, in the most active country in the world on the transfer market (2,061 Brazilians changed clubs last year, according to Fifa).

The lust of European clubs for Brazilian nuggets has intensified since the controversial transfer of Neymar to FC Barcelona in 2013, agent Guilherme Momensohn told AFP.

His training club, Santos, had managed to retain him for a few years, the time to win a Copa Libertadores in 2011, but ended up selling him to Barça for an estimated amount of 83 million euros.

Powerhouses like Real -- who were also in the running to sign Neymar a decade ago -- want to secure the services of young talent as soon as possible, as they did for Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and now Endrick, bought 72 million euros from Palmeiras.

Madrid leaders have agreed to pay astronomical sums to see them land at 18 and avoid having to break the bank even more to recruit them once they have proven themselves in the old continent.

Uncertain potential

"The big European clubs want to be sure to have the future stars of football in their ranks", explains Guilherme Momensohn.

"And by bringing them younger, they can perfect their training so that they adapt to the pace of play in Europe. Some play first for the B team," he continues.

Endrick, who had only seven Brazilian league matches in his legs when his transfer was announced in mid-December, will stay another year and a half at Palmeiras: he will only join Madrid when he turns 18, in July 2024.

Endrick during a Brazilian championship match against America-MG on November 9 in Sao Paulo.

© Miguel SCHINCARIOL / AFP/Archives

"Given the maturity he shows for his age, he clearly stands out. That's why Real Madrid paid him so much," Portuguese Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira said in January.

Chelsea, a great agitator of the last transfer window, has also set its sights on a Brazilian rough diamond: midfielder Andrey Santos, from Vasco, recruited for 10 million euros.

Captain of the Brazil team, South American champions under 20, he has never played in the first division.

But he was called up for the first time on Friday to play a friendly match with the great "seleçao" against Morocco.

Brazilian clubs do not hesitate to give up their hopes very early, preferring "to seize the opportunity to raise large amounts of money through the sale of players whose exact potential is still uncertain", says Guilherme Momensohn.

Seduce old glories

Conversely, Brazil only manages to repatriate players when they are losing momentum in Europe.

Brazilian midfielder Andrey celebrates a goal against Venezuela at the South American Under-20 Championship on February 3 in Bogota © JUAN PABLO PINO / AFP/Archives

Most arrive free, without transfer compensation, and accept a lower salary for a last freelance in their country, seduced by ambitious sports projects or by the idea of ​​returning to their favorite club.

No less than nine Brazilian internationals who have played at least one World Cup will be in contention for the next edition of the Brazilian championship, which begins in April: David Luiz, Filipe Luís, Hulk, Paulinho, Renato Augusto, Fagner, Fernandinho, Felipe Melo and Marcello.

Some have shown that they still have beautiful remains, like the 36-year-old Hulk, who was the great architect of Atlético Mineiro's cup-league double in 2021.

Others disappointed, like defenders Miranda and Dani Alves at Sao Paulo FC.

It is now up to Marcelo, 34, to show that he did not just come in early retirement.

Long considered one of the best in the world as a left-back, the five-time European champion with Real is however far from his best level for several years.

His last experience in Europe, at Olympiakos, came to an end, after only five months and around ten matches played.

Hulk celebrates a goal with Atlético Mineiro during a Copa Libertadores match against Carabobo on March 1, 2023, in Belo Horizonte © DOUGLAS MAGNO / AFP

But the president of Fluminense, Mario Bittencourt, assures that Marcelo represents "a great technical contribution", but also a benefit in terms of "brand image".

© 2023 AFP