Italian press hails Vasco starlet, likens striker to club idol Edmundo | OneFootball

The outstanding performance of Rayan in Vasco da Gama’s 2-0 victory over Fluminense at Maracanã continues to make waves beyond Brazilian borders. This time, the spotlight on the young 19-year-old striker has reached the Italian press, which compared him to one of the greatest idols in Vasco’s history: Edmundo.

The specialized portal Calcio Mercato, one of Italy’s leading sports outlets, praised Rayan’s performance in the derby and described him as a player with “impressive explosiveness, technical ability, and extreme skill in dribbling,” as well as being efficient in one-on-one situations and in tight spaces.

The article also highlighted that European clubs have been monitoring Rayan since last season and that Italy stands out as one of the possible destinations for the youngster in the future—a path similar to Edmundo, who shone in Vasco’s shirt before playing for Italian clubs.

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Rayan celebrates his goal against Fluminense in the Brasileirão — Photo: André Durão / ge

From São Januário to Italy: the parallel with the “Animal”

Vasco idol and 1997 Brazilian champion, Edmundo is one of the greatest talents to emerge from São Januário. After standing out in Brazil, the striker played for Fiorentina, where he formed a memorable attack alongside Batistuta, with Rui Costa and Amoroso in midfield. Later, he also had a brief stint with Napoli.

Now, the European press sees in Rayan similar characteristics to the former number 10: boldness, speed, and personality on the field. The comparison reinforces the impact the youngster is making on the national scene—and his potential to become another great export from Vasco’s youth academy.

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Photo: Reproduction.

Rising jewel

With ten goals in the 2025 Brasileirão, Rayan is one of the main names in Vasco’s comeback in the second half of the season and is already among the players considered for the Brazilian National Team. Coach Fernando Diniz even stated that the youngster “has to be on the World Cup radar.”

The international buzz shows that the talent revealed at São Januário goes beyond borders. And, judging by his performances, Rayan seems ready to follow in Edmundo’s footsteps—and write his own story in Europe.

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