Iraola hails Rayan: “Playing for Vasco means constant pressure” | OneFootball

The start of Rayan at Bournemouth continues to draw attention in England. This Friday (27), coach Andoni Iraola highlighted the forward's personality and stated that having played for Vasco da Gama was crucial for his quick adaptation to the Premier League.

According to the Spanish coach, the pressure experienced at the Rio de Janeiro club prepared the 19-year-old for the European challenge.

The statement resonated among fans and reinforces the importance of the Vasco academy in the trajectory of the Brazilian gem.

+ Vasco enters a decisive phase to announce coach under pressure from the bottom

How Bournemouth Discovered Rayan

According to Iraola, the scouting department of AFC Bournemouth has been following Rayan since the preparatory period for the U-20 World Cup, when the forward was a constant presence in the call-ups of the Brazilian National Team led by Ramon Menezes.

A starter in the South American U-20 Championship victory in January 2025, the player was not released by Vasco to play in the World Cup of the category in September, due to his importance in the professional squad.

Photo: Internet Reproduction.

Million-Dollar Signing and Immediate Impact in England

Announced at the end of January, Rayan became the second most expensive signing in Bournemouth's history: 35 million euros (about R$ 220.7 million at the time's exchange rate).

Even arriving mid-season, the Brazilian quickly found his place. After debuting off the bench, he secured a starting position and already boasts impressive numbers.

Rayan's Numbers for Bournemouth (SofaScore)

Iraola emphasized that the club will be patient with the young forward:

Rayan's Evolution at Vasco

A product of Vasco's youth academy, Rayan made his professional debut in 2023. In 2024, he became the “12th player,” frequently coming on to change games.

By 2025, he made the definitive leap: he secured a starting position, became an offensive reference, and was a key player in the runner-up campaign of the Copa do Brasil — a title won by Corinthians.

In the Brazilian Championship, he was named the competition's revelation.

Rayan's Numbers for Vasco

The maturity demonstrated even under intense pressure was crucial in attracting European interest.

+ Marriage crisis during Carnival motivated Philippe Coutinho's farewell to Vasco

Rayan for Vasco (Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco)

Versatility and Future in the Brazilian National Team

At Bournemouth, Rayan has already played as a right winger, center forward, and even on the left — a position that became more open after Antoine Semenyo's departure.

With consistent performances and direct contributions to goals, the forward is starting to catch the attention of the main National Team. It wouldn't be surprising to see him in a future call-up by Carlo Ancelotti for the next FIFA Date.

Rayan Consolidates Protagonism and Validates “Vasco School”

Iraola's statement reinforces a recurring point in Brazilian football: playing for popular clubs requires early maturity. For the Bournemouth coach, this experience accelerated the young player's adaptation to the intensity of the Premier League.

At 19, Rayan has already turned skepticism into protagonism — and the pressure from São Januário into fuel to shine in Europe.

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