Who is Rafael Belinho? The promising Brazilian gem that Deco met with in Croatia | OneFootball

Barcelona and their scouting department continue working to identify the talents of the future, even with the transfer market closed.

Earlier this week, Barcelona sporting director Deco embarked on a trip to Croatia along with agent Andy Bara.

During the trip, Deco, who watched Cardoso Varela in action, also had a meeting with Rafael Belinho, the young Dinamo Zagreb player, accompanied by his father, at a hotel in the Croatian capital.

The meeting was brief. They greeted each other and posed for a photo, as the player has long declared himself a Barcelona supporter.

Now, SPORT has come forward with an extensive report and profile on Rafael Belinho and how Barcelona came to be interested in the player.

Who is Rafael Belinho?

Rafael Gomes Cirino, known as Belinho, was born in Rio de Janeiro in 2009 and currently plays in the Dinamo Zagreb academy. He grew up playing football between Brazil and Croatia and holds Croatian nationality.

Although he mainly plays as an attacking midfielder, he also operates on the right flank, cutting inside with his left foot.

Belinho is not particularly tall (1.65m), but compensates for it with agility and quick, sharp turns that allow him to shield the ball and escape pressure even in crowded areas.

The teenager has excellent first-touch control, often using it to gain the decisive half-second that allows him to make the right decision and beat his marker. He has vision for the final pass and can pick out teammates both to feet and into space with minimal touches.

Despite his young age, Belinho has demonstrated a good head on his shoulders, showing a strong sense of when to push forward into attack and when to recycle possession to reset the play.

Belinho’s name has gained visibility online in recent months through videos shared by academy football enthusiasts. This exposure has attracted scouts from different countries to watch him more closely.

Andy Bara, the common connection

Belinho’s representative is Croatian agent Andy Bara, who already has a history of successful dealings with Barcelona, including the cases of Dani Olmo and Joan Garcia.

There is positive precedent between the two parties, but this does not mean that negotiations have begun over a move for Belinho.

Barcelona’s priority remains the signing of Cardoso Varela this summer, once he turns 18. However, the strong relationship between the agent and the club makes communication more fluid.