Flamengo academy product scores ‘Messi-like goal’ in the US; watch | OneFootball

André Luiz scored a true stunner in MLS

A product of Flamengo’s youth academy, André Luiz stunned the United States in the latest round of the MLS, the North American soccer league. Now at Sporting Kansas City (USA), the forward scored twice in the 4-3 loss to Philadelphia Union (USA) on Saturday (19). But one of the goals was especially impressive.

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André Luiz took off from the halfway line at top speed, dribbled past two defenders, including one with a stepover. Once inside the box, the former Flamengo player still had the composure to hit it hard, leaving the opposing goalkeeper with no chance. It was the first goal of the match, but the Brazilian’s team could not pull off the win.

Now 24 years old, André Luiz Inácio da Silva is playing his first season in the United States. For his new club, he has played four matches and scored three goals. Before moving to the United States, the winger also had spells at Olympiacos (Greece) and Portuguese clubs Rio Ave and Estrela Amadora.

To sign André, Sporting Kansas City invested 22 million dollars (approximately R$ 112 million) in the player. At the time, the former Flamengo man became the third-most expensive signing in Major League Soccer (MLS) history. The academy product trails South Korean Son (26.5 million dollars to Los Angeles FC) and Ivorian Emmanuel Latte Lath (nearly 26 million dollars to Atlanta United).

ANDRÉ LUIZ AT FLAMENGO

André Luiz made nine appearances for Flamengo’s first team and scored one goal, during Vítor Pereira’s time in charge. An outspoken fan of Bruno Henrique, the forward was unable to earn a consistent run and ended up being transferred to Portuguese soccer in 2023. The player arrived at Mengão in 2020 after starting out at América-RJ.

AUTHOR’S OPINION

— André Luiz, in his own way, has a style very similar to Bruno Henrique’s. Tall, long strides, very fast. But the 24-year-old is left-footed, unlike the Rubro-Negro idol, who is right-footed. I remember he won over Vítor Pereira at Flamengo, but the Portuguese coach didn’t last long at the club, and the winger was unable to develop — said Pedro Paulo Catonho, a journalist at Coluna do Fla.

— If he keeps shining in MLS, André has everything it takes to return to Europe and do better than he did in Greece, where he played ten matches without finding the net. Wishing the kid every success there in the United States of America — he added.

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