André, Arias, Bruno Guimarães: how Diniz has transformed Rayan at Vasco | OneFootball

Fernando Diniz has turned Rayan from prospect to Vasco’s leading man, capped by a new deal, signed on Friday, that includes an 80 million euros clause. He was named Brasileirão revelation and is top scorer in this season’s Copa do Brasil.

"In the first training session he set me a task, take the ball and carry it into the net. I did it. He said I had great potential and a chance with the Seleção. After that he opened my mind," said Rayan. He told ge this in October.

Rayan joined the club at six and moved to the first team in 2023 under Maurício Barbieri. He lacked minutes with Ramón Díaz and, though Rafael Paiva used him, he did not kick on in 2024. By January 2025 he had three goals in 41 games, and a red card at Athletico-PR in the Copa do Brasil quarter-final second leg stood out.

He scored three early this year yet was not an automatic starter. Under Diniz he seized the stage within seven months, becoming the team’s focal point. At the start of the year Vasco entertained only offers above R$ 100 million, and now call his value inestimable.

Diniz’s track record is extensive. At Fluminense he elevated André, Martinelli, Arias and John Kennedy, and revived Ganso, Felipe Melo and Marcelo, with André and Arias later joining Wolverhampton for more than 40 million euros after winning the 2023 Libertadores. Bruno Guimarães rose under him at Audax-SP and Athletico-PR, was shifted from a number 10 to volante, sold for 20 million euros, later brought Athletico another R$ 50 million via Lyon’s sale to Newcastle, and he reached the seleção.

Source: Globo.com