Vasco boss: Starlet worth more than English bid, on goals conceded

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Papo na Colina

·16 January 2026

Vasco boss: Starlet worth more than English bid, on goals conceded

The victorious debut of Vasco da Gama in the Campeonato Carioca (4-2 over Maricá) left coach Fernando Diniz satisfied with the offensive output, but cautious about the defensive system. However, the highlight of this early morning’s (16th) press conference was not tactical, but rather an almost paternal plea for Rayan to stay. Faced with a millionaire offer from English football, the coach was emphatic in advising both the young talent and the club’s management.

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“If he were my son…”

Diniz did not mince words in describing the talent of the number 77. For the coach, selling the striker now, even for 35 million euros, would be a strategic and sporting mistake.

“I don’t think it’s the right time for him to leave for any team, for any amount, at this moment. I say this both from a sporting perspective and because of the bond I have with him. If he were my son, I’d tell him never to leave Vasco right now. I think he deserves to stay at Vasco, and Vasco deserves to have him stay,” said Diniz.

The coach went further, projecting a world-class future for the youngster:

“His potential is to be one of the best players in the world, in my opinion. He has everything.”

According to Diniz, Rayan is “irreplaceable” and, if he stays for another season, he will leave worth much more and with Brazil National Team status.

Rayan is irreplaceable according to Fernando Diniz – Photo: Matheus Lima / Vasco

Analysis of Vasco’s match: Defensive “slips”

Regarding the match at São Januário, Diniz praised the “imposing possession” and the team’s ability to overcome after Lucas Piton was sent off. However, he classified the goals conceded as “slips” that cannot be repeated.

The coach countered criticism about the height of the center-backs (formed by Cuesta and Saldivia), citing Spanish star Sergio Ramos as an example that leap and timing are more important than stature. For him, Maricá’s goals resulted from positioning errors and lack of attention, not lack of height.

“The problem with defending set pieces is not just a matter of height (…) The first play was carelessness. They took it short, and we didn’t close down (…) And on the second goal, there was no one there, the ball was played wide. It was clear it was a cross into the box,” he explained.

For the next match, Sunday (18th), against Nova Iguaçu, Diniz indicated that there will likely be “a lot of changes” in the lineup, aiming to rotate the squad at the start of the season.

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