Meet Eduardo, Palmeiras star shines in historic Copinha thrashing | OneFootball

Cards presented. The forward Eduardo Conceição, 16 years old, made his debut as a starter for Palmeiras in the São Paulo Junior Football Cup this Thursday (8) in the 9-0 victory over Batalhão-TO and did well: he scored four goals and provided two assists, as he takes his first steps in the Under-20 category.

He had already debuted in the Copinha coming off the bench at halftime in the 4-2 victory over Monte Roraima-RR, which was his first game in the Under-20 category. He replaced Antônio Marcos at halftime, attempted shots, but was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper in the two chances he had.

Born in December 2009, meaning just turned 16, Eduardo is still a prospect. The player has not yet signed his first professional contract with the club and is in talks to sign the deal in January. The negotiation is being handled by the company DSA, owned by Adriano Ribeiro and Douglas Sousa, Endrick's father.

In 2025, he shone in Palmeiras' Under-17 team – scoring 12 goals in 33 matches. In 2024, he was the standout player in winning the São Paulo Under-15 Championship.

Internally observed by the management as a potential standout player from Palmeiras' youth academy, the young player caught the club's attention at just nine years old, in 2019, playing in social projects in the South and East Zones of São Paulo. After being without a youth calendar during the Covid-19 pandemic, he resumed his journey at Verdão in 2021 to become the São Paulo champion in the Under-13, Under-14, and Under-15 categories.

Good relationship with Real Madrid

In February 2025, while still standing out only for the Under-17 team, NOSSO PALESTRA reported that the young player received an invitation from Real Madrid to visit the club's facilities in Spain. The trip to Europe followed the path taken by Endrick, who, even before signing with the Spanish team, traveled to visit the Training Center and Santiago Bernabeu. The current Lyon forward, on loan from Real, also visited other clubs at the time.

The good relationship with Real Madrid has an important mediator. Douglas Sousa, Endrick's father, is one of those involved in this possible move due to his closeness to the new Palmeiras gem. It was he who informed Dudu of the invitation received to learn more about the Spanish club.

International highlight

In October 2025, the Spanish newspaper ‘As’ highlighted Eduardo Conceição on its website. According to the publication, the forward has been attracting attention for his performances in the club's Under-17 team, where he stands out even when playing against older athletes.

“Palmeiras has a new diamond in its inexhaustible arsenal of talents,” wrote the newspaper, comparing him to Estêvão, who was sold in 2025 to Chelsea for about 65 million euros.

Dudu plays as a left winger, although his dominant foot is the right. “As” emphasized his “tremendous skill in dribbling and finishing.”

The Spanish publication also highlighted that Eduardo “reminds of what Estêvão offered when he emerged,” and mentioned that “Eduardo's future seems to follow the same path as the stars recently revealed by Palmeiras.”

See Palmeiras' upcoming matches in the Copinha:

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.