Gabriel Veron: 5 Things to Know About the Palmeiras Forward

?Three Premier League giants battling it out for the signature of a South American wonderkid. No, this is not your Football Manager save, this is real life, dammit.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are understood to be circling 17-year-old right winger Gabriel Veron, who currently plies his trade at Palmeiras.

The Brazilian club has earned a reputation as something of a talent farm, with former players Gabriel Jesus and Yerry Mina both earning big money moves recently.

Could Veron follow in their illustrious footsteps? And who the hell is he anyway? All of this and more is answered below.

He’s Named After a Argentinian Legend

Juan Sebastian Veron

?Admit it. Seeing this article made you think of one player and one player only. The legendary, the illustrious, the beautiful Juan Sebastian Veron. 

The former United man may have been a silky smooth operator, but we were still flabbergasted to learn that Gabriel is in fact named after him. 

Yes, you have read that right. The future of Brazilian football (maybe) was genuinely named in tribute to an Argentinian. 

The young Brazilian told FIFA.com last year: “It was our neighbour’s idea. He’d always wanted a son but ended up with three daughters. So, when my parents couldn’t decide on a second name for me [during the pregnancy] in 2002, our neighbour said: ‘why not call him Veron?'”

Real Madrid Are Also Interested – Obviously

England U17 v Brazil U17: International Friendly

?Brazil have been producing a lot of talented young forwards of late – and Real Madrid seem to keep buying them all.

A source has confirmed to 90min that Los Blancos thought they had added Veron to their collection – alongside Vinícius Júnior, Reinier and Rodrygo – only for the interest of a trio of ?Premier League clubs to throw a ?spanner in the works.

These are not the only clubs circling as well, with – deep breath – ?Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, ?Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica and ?Juventus all monitoring the situation. Phew, got there in the end.

Glowing Recommendation 

FBL-U17-WC-2019-BRA-MEX

?Veron has been attracting glowing reviews for his performances back home and from some pretty reputable sources as well.

“He’s a kid with enormous talent,” former Brazil international Bebeto told Correio Brasiliense (via ?Goal). “I watched him score a goal dribbling from almost his own half before finding the net with a quality finish, calmly beating the opposition goalkeeper.”

Well, if he’s good enough for a World Cup winner…

He’s Starred at the Under-19 World Cup

Gabriel Veron

?The main reason he has attracted such praise is that he stole the nation’s hearts at the Under-19 World Cup last summer. 

Veron starred at the tournament, starting each of Brazil’s games and forming an electric partnership with attacking right back Yan. He laid on several assists for Selecao frontman and tournament top scorer Kaio Jorge while also chipping in with three goals of his own.

At the end of the competition he was awarded the Golden Ball. Not bad. Definitely enough to get Europe’s best clubs extremely interested.

He’s Done Alright at Club Level Too

Veron may have only played three senior games for Palmeiras, but he’s still scored one more goal than Joelinton has managed in the Premier League this season.

Okay, we admit it. That’s just a fancy way of saying he’s scored twice in his club career. 

If he keeps up this scoring rate, he’ll go down in history. He won’t though, because that would be mad.

He Almost Became a Cowboy

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?Prior to being pursued by some of the biggest clubs in Europe, Veron had a very different profession lined up. 

Living the Red Dead Redemption dream, the youngster used to help out his father who works as a ranch hand in his village. 

“That’s my father’s profession – he’s a ranch hand who takes care of cattle and horses. He works in the countryside, and I tried to do the job alongside him, but just couldn’t,” he explained in the same FIFA.com interview from 2019.

“Fortunately, my mother kept encouraging me to pursue a career in football to try to have a better future. So, I dedicated myself to being a footballer.”

Well done, Mrs Veron. You were absolutely spot on to drag your son away from the horses.

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