Reinier's move to Real Madrid proves La Liga's growing global prominence

Bengaluru, January 22: If a growing proof of La Liga emerging as the primary destination for the world's leading emerging stars was required, then it came in the form of hugely talented attacking midfielder Reinier Jesus's transfer from Brazilian club Flamengo to Real Madrid.

Having just turned 18, Reinier will move to Spain after representing his country at this month's South American 2020 Tokyo Games qualifying tournament.

The Brasilia-born teenager, whose technique and vision recalls former Madrid Galactico and 2012 La Liga winner Kaka, signed for Madrid despite interest from many of Europe's other top clubs.

#WelcomeReinier pic.twitter.com/FaVxmrGJIf

— Real Madrid C.F.⚽ (@realmadrid) January 20, 2020

The Bernabeu outfit's interest in Reinier fits with their long-standing policy of recruiting outstanding young talents from Brazil, most recently forwards Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior, but previously Casemiro and Marcelo.

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Real Madrid sign Brazilian teenager Reinier Jesus from Flamengo

Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde, now a fixture with the first team, also joined Los Blancos aged just 18 from his home country in July, 2016.

Following that successful model, Reinier will get a chance to find his feet in Spain playing at first for the club's youth team: Real Madrid Castilla, in the Segunda B (third tier), whose coach is the legendary Raul Gonzalez, while also training and gaining experience day-to-day with Zinedine Zidane's senior side.

#HalaMadrid https://t.co/Ls2jAVPh1F

— Reinier Jesus👔 (@ReinierJesus_19) January 20, 2020

Vinicius will be close by to help out, having been a colleague in Flamengo's academy before joining Madrid in summer 2018.

Reinier is a different type of player than Vinicius or Rodrygo - a modern and versatile playmaker, comfortable in a number of different positions. As a central number 10, his impressively mature vision and creativity can unlock tight defences. The right-footer can also start towards the left of midfield, from where he can cut inside to link with the centre-forward or shoot himself.

Goals are a big part of his game - he scored six times in his first 14 appearances for Rio de Janeiro-based Flamengo's senior team during Brazil's Serie A 2019 season. On his first start in August he made a huge splash with a goal and assist against Avai. Coach Jorge Jesus carefully managed his introduction, but also quickly recognised the potential of the youngster, who hit further key goals against Fortaleza and Bahia as Flamengo eased to their first national title win in a decade.

The statistics show Reinier's composure in front of goal - he converted one of every 2.66 shots at the target, the second highest rate of any player in Brazil last season. Portuguese coach Jesus also allowed the youngster to gain further valuable experience as Flamengo won last year's Copa Libertadores, and made the final of the FIFA Club World Cup against Liverpool.

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The Brazilian national set-up has closely followed the emergence of a player whose father Mauro Brasilia won the FIFA-endorsed indoor football World Cup with the Brazil national team in Spain in 1985. Reinier first featured with his country's Under-15 side, then scored three goals in four goals at March 2019's U-17 South American championships in Peru.

Given his emergence as a top talent, Reinier has now been unsurprisingly called-up by Brazil for this month's Pre-Olympic Tournament, which decides which South American countries play at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Despite being the youngest member of an U-23 squad, he has scored in both the team's warm-up games and looks certain to feature during the tournament in Colombia. Then it will be time for his next adventure in La Liga with Real Madrid, once he has signed a contract for six-and-a-half seasons, until 2026.

(Source: MSL Media)