Vasco starlet eyes Seleção records, shines on national stage

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Papo na Colina

·10. Oktober 2025

Vasco starlet eyes Seleção records, shines on national stage

The 2025 season has been the year of consolidation for Rayan as one of the biggest prospects in Brazilian football. The Vasco forward, just 19 years old, has not only secured his place as a guaranteed starter, but has also entered the race for the U-20 top scorer of the Brazilian Championship. His numbers place him on a select list alongside stars who shone in the competition at the same age.

+ Vasco could lose a starter to Europe in 2026

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Youngster competes for the U-20 top scorer in the Brasileirão

With nine goals scored in the current edition of the Brasileirão, Rayan is second in the U-20 scoring charts, just one goal behind Vitor Roque of Palmeiras. The mark already puts him on a prominent level.

In addition, counting all competitions, he is the top U-20 scorer in Brazil, with 14, tied with Vitor Roque himself.

The top scorers list features big names

The race for the U-20 top scorer in the Brasileirão has historically revealed great talents. Names like Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison have led this ranking in the past, before exploding on the world stage. The presence of Rayan in this race is therefore a strong indication of his potential.

U-20 top scorers by edition in the Brasileirão

2024: Estêvão (Palmeiras) – 13 goals
2023: Marcos Leonardo (Santos) – 13 goals
2022: Marcos Leonardo (Santos) – 13 goals
2021: Yuri Alberto (Internacional) – 12 goals
2020: Yuri Alberto (Internacional) – 10 goals
2019: Reinier (Flamengo) – 6 goals
2018: Rodrygo (Santos) – 8 goals
2017: Richarlison (Fluminense) – 5 goals
2016: Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras) – 12 goals
2015: Gabriel Barbosa (Santos) – 10 goals
2014: Erik (Goiás) – 12 goals
2013: Vinícius Araújo (Cruzeiro) – 7 goals
2012: Neymar (Santos) – 14 goals
2011: Neymar (Santos) – 13 goals
2010: Neymar (Santos) – 17 goals
2009: Neymar (Santos) – 10 goals
2008: Keirrison (Coritiba) – 21 goals
2007: Guilherme (Cruzeiro) – 10 goals
2006: Welliton (Goiás) – 10 goals
2005: Rafael Sóbis (Internacional) – 20 goals

“Complete player,” says Vasco’s coach

The forward’s great form is largely credited to Fernando Diniz. The Vasco coach heaped praise on his player, whom he called one of the most complete forwards in Brazil. He said:

“He’s an extremely different player, one of the few forwards in Brazilian football who is complete. (…) He’s a player who is blossoming at a time when the list (for the World Cup) isn’t closed.”