MARCELO - 18 years old, left lateral, 6.5 million euros
In childhood, the guy was more inclined to futsal. However, he made the final choice in favor of big football and, apparently, did not lose. Three dozen matches for “Fluminense” was enough for Marcelo to become the most promising left lateral throughout South America. In the summer, the deal on its acquisition brought to the stage of the last formalities of CSKA. However, he could not overcome it. It's a pity. It would be very interesting to watch the Brazilian in competition with Yuri Zhirkov.
Few were surprised when Marcelo, at his tender age, was invited to the Brazil national team. But everyone was amazed when he scored a goal in the first game - against the Welshmen on November 25. Perhaps the inspiration of the young man contributed to the just-signed contract with Real Madrid until 2013. By that time, Roberto Carlos will celebrate the 40th anniversary. The Royal Club had long been looking for a successor to him, having sorted through a lot of candidates: from Maxwell to Ashley Cole. As a result, Ramon Calderon chose the 18-year-old Marcelo. This says, firstly, that he is extremely talented and promising, and secondly, that he will have to try pretty hard to justify super-generous advances.
By the way, Marcelo has not yet managed to get hold of a passport of any EU country. And therefore, at first, while Madrid lawyers will find Italians or Spaniards among his ancestors, apparently, will play for Castilla, a subsidiary of Real Madrid.
GONSALO IGUAIN - 19 years old, striker, 13 million euros
The yellow jersey of the leader in the race for this Argentinean diamond has long belonged to Chelsea. It seemed that the aspirations of Pini Zahavi and MSI El Pipita, as he was nicknamed in his homeland, would nevertheless move to Stamford Bridge. But it was not there. The Grand Madrid intervened in the matter, resolving the issue for 13 million euros and simultaneously furnishing Milan, Fiorentina, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Having declared himself in last year’s Libertadores Cup, Higuain revealed himself in all its glory in the recently completed “aperture”. Gonzalo became the main culprit of the brilliant victory of the “Rivera” in “superclassico”, sending two goals to the “Boca” goal, one more beautiful than the other.
But the real apotheosis of admiration for his game was a challenge to the national team ... France. The fact is that Higuain was born in Brest, but ten months later he moved to Argentina with his parents. Raymond Domenech proved himself an experienced football scholar. However, Gonzalo, having conferred with his father, refused the kind offer of the vice-champions of the world, which shocked the French Federation.
With impressive growth, Higuain is not a typical striker grazing at the box in anticipation of the ball. When attacking an opponent, he regularly moves back and, receiving the ball, begins to move to someone else's goal, most often along the right flank. A dimensional forward, who, in addition to sniper skills, is also powerful in playing along, is a popular and scarce commodity in modern football. And it is not surprising that Fabio Capello decided to participate in the development of this unique talent.
FERNANDO GAGO - 20 years old, supporting midfielder, 20.4 million euros
Another Real Madrid recruit, nicknamed Fer in Argentina, made his debut at Boca Juniors back in late 2004, at the age of seventeen. Gago immediately became the club's defining player and earned a comparison with the star namesake - Fernando Redondo. Playing as an opornik, Gago is extremely cruel in martial arts, which is generally characteristic of his fellow compatriots. At the same time, unlike most peers, Fernando is enviably cold-blooded and never goes too far - you can’t call a notorious snapper a guy. In addition, he has enviable playmaking abilities, which is especially valuable for a modern player in his role.
Ever since Javier Mascherano got lost between Corinthians and West Ham, Fernando has been considered the best young supporting midfielder in the world. A year ago, Chelsea and Real Madrid began to ask him a price, and Madrid again hit the jackpot. Maurizio Macri, the Boca cartridge, who doesn’t really like to sell stars at a young age (recall the late departures of Riquelme and Palermo), nevertheless fell under the pressure of Miyatovich and Calderon.
Gago's prospects look a little obscure when there are Emerson and Diarr in the Royal Club, bought just six months ago. It remains to be believed that Fabio Capello will find use for a player who is valued (and worthily!) In more than two tens of millions of euros.