Branco: “Real Madrid signed a classy player who looks like Romario”

Few people know the inexhaustible mine of Brazilian talents like Claudio Ibram Vaz Leal, better known as “Branco” (born in 1964).

A very quick left-back with impressive shots, he is still remembered for his decisive free-kick goal against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup in the USA that took Brazil to the semi-finals.

He brought Brazil the fourth star of that World Cup by scoring a penalty in the penalty shootout in the final against Italy. Since 2018, he has become the coordinator of youth teams in the Brazilian Football Confederation, managing the country’s talents, such as Endrick, who officially signed for Real Madrid, to actually join in 2024 when he is 18 years old.

AS interviewed him from Colombia, where the South American U-20 Championship is already taking place, and he touched on Endrick in particular.

Endrick is not with Brazil at the South American Under-20 Championship, at Palmeiras’ request. What future do you see for the striker?

Wonderful. He is an exceptional player, pure goalscorer and has a lot of class.

Could he succeed at Real Madrid upon his arrival, despite the fact that he would only be 18 years old at the time?

naturally. He could be a global figure like Vinicius and Rodrygo now or even like Neymar when he left Santos or Ronaldo Nazario when he left Cruzeiro.

What player does he remind you of?

He looks like Romario. Their biotype is very similar. He’s strong, short, quick, always in a good position and has a great eye for goals, qualities that made Romario great. Endrick has many virtues to be able to succeed in football.

Could stress affect him, being so young?

I do not believe. He is a humble boy, his mind is well preponderant.

Source: As