Alisson Santana: From Brazil’s youth leagues to European interest
At just 18 years old, Atlético Mineiro‘s attacking talent Alisson Santana is attracting serious attention from the European football elite. Arsenal, Fulham, Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen, and PSV are all keeping an eye on this rising Brazilian star. Let’s take a closer look at his journey thus far.
A talent discovered
Santana’s promise was evident from the start. Coach Adriano Martins, then a professional at Atlético-MG, spotted him during competitions in southern Brazil. Shortly after, Santana joined Atlético Mineiro, but the pandemic delayed his senior debut until 2021. That didn’t stop him from shining; despite the challenging circumstances, he became the Minas Gerais under-17 champion that same year.
Prolific and persistent
In 2022, Santana cemented his place as a starter for the under-17 team and finished as Galo’s top scorer in the category’s Brasileirão with five goals. This impressive tally, combined with an additional 11 goals that year, made him the season’s second-highest scorer. His breakout performance led to his first professional contract with Atlético Mineiro in September 2022.
Gaining ground
Although a move to Europe currently seems speculative, Santana’s star continues to rise. He recently netted his first professional goal for Atlético-MG in the Campeonato Mineiro. Despite only recently breaking into the senior team, his talent and prolific youth record have drawn significant interest from across the Atlantic.
Humble beginnings
Santana’s journey is all the more impressive considering his modest roots in Cachoeirinha, southern Brazil. His path, guided by coach Adriano Martins and driven by his own ambition, is a testament to hard work and determination.
The future
While concrete transfer offers are yet to materialize, European clubs continue to monitor Santana’s progress. As the young Brazilian builds on his recent professional debut and establishes himself at the senior level, it seems only a matter of time before he catches the eye of top-tier teams looking to bring a new generation of South American talent to the pitch.