Tiaguinho, Zortéa, Jefinho and the rest: how Grêmio’s 2026 starlets are progressing | OneFootball

Grêmio have fast-tracked at least eight academy players into first-team work in 2026, while some still feature for the under-20s.

Globo.com reports that Gabriel Mec went from two senior games by 2025 to 32 under Luís Castro, then joined Porto in August for 11 million euros.

Also promoted were Athos and Luis Eduardo, Bernardo Zortéa and Tiaguinho, Jefinho, Roger and goalkeeper Gabriel Menegon. All are on strengthening programmes, and Renato Portaluppi has since called up 12 more academy players for assessment.

Athos Thawan stepped up in September with a new deal to 2029 and is yet to make a matchday squad. Zortéa, 19, has four league games and sits behind Noriega and Danilo Barbosa. Menegon, 17, is with Brazil’s seniors this window and debuted after Tiago Beltrame’s red card in May.

Jefinho, 19, switched from a planned Copinha to first-team training in December 2025 and has four senior cameos. He last played in March for the under-20s. Castro saw him as a number eight, Renato as a central creator, after a 2024 ACL and November 2025 return, with a deal to December 2027.

Luis Eduardo, 18, has six senior games in 2026 across state, league and Sudamericana after a 2025 debut, and is signed to May 2028. Roger, 18, played eight times early, then five for the under-20s, and renewed to 2028.

Tiaguinho has nine senior games, four starts. Out of squads since 30 May amid migraine issues, he is back building strength, with a contract to July 2027.

Source: Globo.com

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