Academy round-up: Wins, scorer bags two, Brazil winner, Cotia scout out | OneFootball

São Paulo’s youth teams had a busy weekend, with big wins, a young standout called up to the Brazil national team, and yet another departure from Cotia.

As early as Friday (31), Tricolor beat Botafogo-SP 2-0 at Estádio Prefeito José Liberatti, in Osasco (SP), in the Paulista U-20 Championship, with goals from Robert and Matheus Menezes. With the result, the team reached 18 points and remains unbeaten in the state competition.

The Made In Cotia side controlled the first half and opened the scoring in the 37th minute through Robert, who struck a beautiful shot from outside the box after a loose ball from a corner kick. In the second half, the second goal came in the seventh minute, also from a corner taken by Davi Pena, who put the ball on Matheus Menezes’ head to extend the lead.

Tricolor’s next match in the Paulista U-20 will be on Friday (7), against Aguaí, at 3 p.m. (Brasília time), at Estádio Leonardo Guaranha, in Aguaí (SP).

Robert with Brazil!

The scorer of the goal that opened the way for the tricolor victory at U-20 level, midfielder Robert was called up to represent Brazil’s U-17 national team in another stage of preparation for the category’s World Cup, which will be played in November in Qatar.

Between August 13 and 23, Brazil U-17 will go through another training period at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis (RJ), where they will also play two friendlies against Venezuela: the first on August 20 at 11 a.m., and the second on the 23rd at 10 a.m.

Robert has been one of the standout players in Tricolor’s youth ranks. The attacking midfielder has been playing for both the U-17 and U-20 teams. “Thank you God for another opportunity to represent my country, it will always be an honor,” the São Paulo player celebrated on his social media.

Qualified teams run riot

This Saturday (1st), São Paulo’s U-15 and U-17 teams thrashed Clube Vital at Estádio Serra da Colina, in Ibiúna, in the Paulista Championship. The younger side won 5-1, with goals from Lucas Antunes (2), Yahgo, Lucas Jorge, and Gilbert. The older team then ran out 7-0 winners, with goals from Gabriel (2), top scorer Nicolas Francisco (2), Erick, Mikael, and Raphael França.

Already qualified for the next round, the U-15 team reached 31 points, maintaining first place and its unbeaten run in Group 10. The Made In Cotia side pressed from the start and quickly built a lead with two goals from Lucas Antunes. The first, in fact, was a beautiful volley. In the second half, Yahgo scored after a perfectly placed cross. Lucas Jorge and Gilbert completed the 5-1 rout.

The older side also had an excellent first half, and Tricolor found the net five times before the break. Gabriel opened the scoring with a beautiful shot from outside the box. Then Erick and Mikael scored with individual plays.

Raphael França took advantage of a cross to score the fourth, and Nicolas Francisco, Cotia’s great hope, made it five after receiving the ball unmarked inside the box and finishing past the goalkeeper. In the second half, Gabriel and Nicolas scored again. With the rout, Tricolor U-17 reached 26 points and has also already secured, in advance, a place in the next round of the Paulista.

Cotia scout on his way out

Michael Douglas with the 2025 Copa São Paulo de Juniores logo (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram)

Last week, another Cotia professional also said goodbye to the club. It is not new that São Paulo has been carrying out a major overhaul in its youth system. Now, Michael Douglas, who worked in the club’s scouting department, was dismissed by Tricolor.

“Today I am ending my cycle at São Paulo Futebol Clube. They were years of work and dedication, closely following the development of so many athletes. I thank every friend I made on this journey and every player I had the privilege to welcome and follow. I will take all of this with me into the next challenges. Thank you, São Paulo Futebol Clube!” Michael posted on his social media.

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