Faced with multiple alternatives to fill the attack in the absence of the injured Raphinha from the World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti put a teenager on the field. It was not Endrick, as much of the crowd claimed, but another 19-year-old athlete –13 days younger–, Rayan, who played his role well in Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Scotland, last Wednesday (24).
The coach was thrilled with the result of his selection. The Rio de Janeiro native, who had come on during the 3-0 triumph over Haiti, became only the sixth player under 20 to be selected in the team at a World Cup and the youngest since 1970. Faced with the challenge, he did not seem intimidated.
“The young man brings enthusiasm, energy. He is different from the veteran, who offers experience, knowledge of the position. A team is a combination of these things. But it is obvious that having a young player like Rayan, who has the personality to play in a World Cup at the age of 19 wearing a Brazil shirt, is something important,” said Ancelotti. “Personality, character and seriousness.”
For the Italian, the boy “did a complete job, with [bom] defensive and offensive level.” “He performed very well, I’m very satisfied with the game he played. He is an important piece, a young man who has quality and maturity, works hard. I don’t think anyone knows their level yet, where they can reach”, he praised.
Rayan performed important tactical roles against the Scots. With the ball, it was an option on the right side, wide open, giving space to the green-yellow attack – “widening the field”, as they say in football jargon. But, when the play was designed from the left, he had freedom to enter the area. That’s how he almost scored a beautiful goal, stopping past goalkeeper Gunn.
Without the ball, the number 26 closed the right side of midfield. And, in situations where this was possible, he acted to pressure the opponent’s ball out. It worked just seven minutes into the first half, when he took advantage of Scott McKenna’s hesitation and made the tackle that left Vinicius Junior free to open the score.
The Rio native thus maintained his unbeaten record in 2026. His year began with a victory for Vasco over Maricá before a transfer to Bournemouth, in England, where he quickly showed his football, without defeats. There have been 20 games since January, with eight goals and three assists – the last setback was in December, in the final of the Copa do Brasil, won by Corinthians.
“He’s not just a winger [ponta]. He is a complete striker, he can play in many positions. He played as a center forward at Vasco, as a winger at Bournemouth… He has a coup [chute] very strong, a strong header too. I think he can have a good game”, said Ancelotti, before the duel with Scotland.
This expectation was confirmed on the field, and the performance was highlighted in Bournemouth’s communication channels, which paid 28.5 million euros (R$168 million at current prices) for the boy’s football – with triggers that could make the transaction reach 35 million euros (R$207 million). Now, the small team from southwestern England must face difficulties in holding him back.
Being an important player for Brazil in a World Cup values a player, and the expectation is that, at least for now, Rayan will remain in Carletto’s lineup. Recovering from an injury to his right thigh, Raphinha still does not have a return date and will most likely be absent at the start of the knockout round, next Monday (29), in Houston, against the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden.
“The group is giving me a lot of support. Players like Vini Junior and Matheus Cunha are giving me that support. So, I think I came in lighter,” said Rayan, already without the weight of his debut as a starter for the national team. “As everyone saw, I came in to provide assistance, helping with the marking. Everything went well.”
