One of the main new additions to Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti’s list, young striker Rayan, aged 19, is the youngest player in the list of 26 called up for the World Cup.
Just 13 days apart from his teammate Endrick, also 19 years old — the two are the youngest to be called up to the Brazilian team to compete in a World Cup since Ronaldo, aged 17 in 1994 —, Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha managed to leave behind much more experienced names who were also in the fight for a place in the World Cup thanks to his fast and versatile style of play, being able to play in different positions on the front line of the national team.
In a promising start in the Premier League playing for the modest Bournemouth, the 1.85 m left-footed player from Vasco da Gama’s base, in the final stretch for the World Cup, he got ahead of athletes older and more experienced than him in football and who were also more likely in the bookmakers to enter the final list, such as strikers João Pedro, 24, from Chelsea, and Pedro, 28, from Flamengo.
Before the final list of those called up for the World Cup that begins on June 11th in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Rayan had only been called up once by Ancelotti, for the friendlies against France and Croatia, in March.
“Very powerful, has quality, good attitude on the field. He performed very well in a difficult league, young man. He certainly has a future in the national team. I don’t know if in the next World Cup. For what he is doing, for the coaching staff, he deserves to be here”, said Ancelotti when justifying the call-up.
He was not used in the defeat against the French team and came on with around 15 minutes remaining in the game against the Croatians, replacing Luiz Henrique, when the match was still tied at 1-1.
His entry gave new energy to the team on the right wing and, although he did not directly participate in any of the goals scored in the last minutes of the friendly by Igor Thiago, from a penalty, and Gabriel Martinelli, he left a good impression on the coaching staff.
Son of former defender Valkmar, who played for Vasco in the 1990s, Rayan arrived at the São Januário club at the age of six and soon stood out for his goals.
After his good performance in youth championships, he signed his first professional contract in December 2022, with a termination fine set at around €80 million (R$476 million) for clubs abroad.
His debut for Vasco’s main team took place in January 2023, entering the second half of the match against Audax, for Carioca, when he became the youngest to enter the field for the club in the 21st century, at 16 years, 5 months and 16 days, surpassing Andrey Santos — another name mentioned that was left out of Ancelotti’s list.
The first goal would come about five months later, in the 2-1 defeat to Internacional, in the Brazilian Championship, when he also became the youngest to score with a Vasco shirt in the century.
He gained prominence in the team from mid-2025, especially after the arrival of coach Fernando Diniz. There were 20 goals scored in 57 matches for Vasco last season, which attracted the attention of European clubs.
In January 2026, Bournemouth announced a deal estimated at €35 million (R$204 million), the biggest transfer in the history of Cruz-Maltino.
The first goal for the new club came in the second game, securing a draw against Aston Villa. He would score again in the following game, scoring his team’s first in the 2-1 victory over Everton, after having conceded a penalty at the end of the first half.
The performance on the field earned praise from Bournemouth’s coach, Spaniard Andoni Iraola.
“There are mistakes we have to accept from young players. They will do brilliant things, and some mistakes we have to accept. It’s part of the development process,” said the coach after the victory over Everton.
“I don’t think he is someone who is affected by pressure. Rayan is used to playing under pressure, he played very well in the second half, he scored a goal,” added the commander.
In 13 Premier League games so far, Rayan has found the net five times and provided two more assists.
After having his name confirmed on Ancelotti’s list, the striker made a post on his social media celebrating the call-up.
“Today I realize one of the biggest dreams of my life: to be called up for the first time in a World Cup to represent my country’s team”, wrote the young player.
“Wearing this shirt is an indescribable honor. I promise to do my best and represent my country with pride, humility and heart,” added the striker.
