Reinier Jesus Carvalho, better known to football fans as simply Reinier, is one of the emerging talents of world football. Born in Brazil, he currently stars for Real Madrid’s B team, having moved to Spain for an astonishing €35 million. Before the Spanish season was called to an abrupt halt by coronavirus, he had already scored two goals in three games, making an instant impression. At his previous club, Flamengo, he was instrumental in helping the team to their first Serie A title in ten years.
Reinier was born in Brasilia, the country’s capital, in 2002. Football runs in his family as his father was a professional futsal player. Aged nine, he joined the academy of Vasco de Gama, one of Brazil’s biggest clubs. He joined top-flight side Flamengo in 2014 and made his professional debut for them at the start of the 2019/20 season. Not only did the team break their league title drought that season, they also won the Copa Libertadores, Brazil’s most prestigious football tournament, for the first time since 1981. Reinier was immediately handed a long contract with a large release fee. Within two months, Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the world, met the release fee and Reinier was on his way to Spain.
Still in his teens, Reinier has nevertheless already begun building his international career. He made his Brazil debut for their U15 side in 2017 and had the honour of captaining their U17 team at the 2019 South American U17 Championships, scoring three goals in their four games. Reinier will be a name on the world’s lips in years to come.