Under-12 star is ex-Palmeiras player's son, with Endrick's agency | OneFootball

Forward PH Neto has been drawing attention during Palmeiras’ participation in La Liga FC Futures, one of the world’s most traditional tournaments in the category, organized by the Spanish entity. The standout player from Verdão’s under-12 team is the son of former Palmeiras player Paulo Henrique and is represented by Roc Nation Sports.

The American entertainment company, led by singer Jay-Z and considered the world’s leading athlete management agency, also manages the careers of Brazilian national team players such as Vini Jr, Endrick, and Gabriel Martinelli.

With four goals scored, he is the competition’s second-leading scorer, behind Nicolas, who has five.

PH Neto’s connection with Palmeiras

The young athlete is the son of forward Paulo Henrique, who had a brief spell at Palmeiras in 2010, making only seven appearances. It was from that point that the partnership between the player and Roc Nation Sports began. Thiago Freitas, the company’s COO, explained how it all happened.

“His father (Paulo Henrique) worked with us from 2007 until the end of his career in 2018, and we always kept in touch with him and the family. I saw his son (PH Neto) for the first time in 2021, at an edition of the Salvador Cup, when he was 7 years old, already impressing, though still just having fun. When Palmeiras invited the family to move to São Paulo at the end of 2024, his father approached us to help with that process,” the executive revealed.

“Paulo is a great example of what happens when talent is surrounded by the best. A family that encourages him in football but also demands attention to his education. People around the family who have already dealt with talents like his and helped in his development. A club that not only knows how to identify something special, but also provides a special team of professionals. Palmeiras’ effort to bring his family out of Paraíba so early is being justified with every new tournament,” Freitas added.

Palmeiras gem has already shone in Madrid

PH Neto stood out in the opening round against Boca Juniors with a goal, and he scored a stunning bicycle kick in the 3-0 win over Inter Miami, a play that went viral on social media. The player even caught the attention of the international press.

He has already scored 209 goals and provided 116 assists in 165 matches for Verdão in football and futsal, where he took his first steps, since the age of nine, in 2023. Left-footed, he has won 19 titles during this period.

The under-12 squad competing in Spain had already won the 2025 São Paulo State Under-11 Championship, beating São Paulo in the final, and this season they were crowned champions of the New Cup in Paraná, defeating Grêmio in the decider.

The competition

The competition, which began this past Wednesday and ends on Sunday, features a select group of clubs: 20 from five continents, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Barcelona, with only two Brazilian teams: Palmeiras and Flamengo.

The tournament has already produced standout players such as Lamine Yamal, Xavi, Iniesta, Iker Casillas, and Gerard Piqué.

The top two teams from each group qualify for the quarterfinals. Matches are played seven-a-side with two 12-minute halves because of the age category.

Palmeiras under-12’s next match

Match: Flamengo vs Palmeiras Date: March 27, 2026 (Friday) Time: 11:00 a.m. (Brasília time)

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