Vinicius Junior. Rodrygo Goes. Eder Militao. And, from July 2024, Endrick Felipe.
Real Madrid have always been a club that attracted the best talent from Brazil — Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo Nazario, Robinho and Marcelo, Kaka and Casemiro have all flocked to the club over the years — but this new generation, and the tantalising possibility of an all-Brazilian front three in 18 months’ time, promises a dominance never before seen at the Bernabeu. The architect: Juni Calafat, Madrid’s low-profile, but increasingly influential, chief scout.
Calafat’s latest coup was the signing of Endrick, 16, from Palmeiras, last month. The teenage forward is one of football’s most exciting prospects, anywhere in the world. Everybody wanted his signature, from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain to Madrid’s main LaLiga rivals Barcelona, whose coach Xavi told ESPN he had personally spoken with the player. Thanks to Calafat, Madrid came out on top.
