PSG Won The Fight Between Three Clubs Of €20m on the Brazilian wonderkid

A fallen giant of Brazilian football, Corinthians were forced to look inward for inspiration as they looked to arrest an alarming slide towards the lower reaches of the Brasileirao league table last season. In doing so, they unearthed a gem: Gabriel Moscardo.

The defensive midfielder enjoyed a meteoric rise with his hometown club, going from signing with the academy to the first team in the space of just five years. The impressive youngster forms part of an exciting new generation of Brazilian talent alongside the likes of future Real Madrid star Endrick, Chelsea’s Andrey Santos and Barcelona hitman Vitor Roque.

Just like his compatriots, Moscardo inevitably drew the attention of some of European football’s leading clubs, with Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea all credited with an interest in signing him as soon as possible.

However, in the end, it is Paris Saint-Germain who have ended up securing his services for an initial fee of €20 million (£17m/$22m). But what exactly can we expect to see from Moscardo in the French capital?

Moscardo is Sao Paulo through and through. Born in the Taubate district, he joined Corinthians’ academy aged 12 in 2017 and rose rapidly through the ranks. He signed his first professional contract in 2021 – one that he renewed last summer.

Despite being predominantly a defensive midfielder, he ended 2022 as the Under-17 side’s top scorer with 10 goals, earning himself a regular place in the U20 side from January 2023 onwards.

At 17, he captained the Timao to the final of the FIFA Youth Cup in May – a tournament for U21 sides. Agonisingly, though, he missed the deciding penalty in the final against hosts FC Zurich, but there was a silver lining as he was recognised as Player of the Tournament.

After a meteoric rise in the first half of 2023, Moscardo was rewarded with his first-team debut in July by now-former manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo – a coach with a reputation for entrusting young players with prominent roles.

Still 17 at the time, he came off the bench in a 3-0 Copa Libertadores victory over Uruguay’s Liverpool, even playing a part in the third goal.

Speaking to Globo about his debut, Moscardo said: “I say that the first ball of the game is very important. So on one of the first balls I charged, handed it to Pedro and that resulted in a goal. I exploded with joy, this only gives me more confidence. I hope to have more opportunities, I think I left a good impression.”