Barcelona have a history of splashing out big money on young South American prodigies. They spent £11 million on Geovanni, who flopped at the Nou Camp before finding his way to Hull; Juan Roman Riquelme also struggled at Barca before shining at Villarreal, and they spent €15 million on a young Javier Saviola from River Plate. Following in their footsteps is Brazilian striking prodigy Keirrison. Dubbed the “new Romario”, the Catalan club are hoping Keirrison can fulfil his potential as his illustrious predecessor did at the Nou Camp, having spent £15 million to sign the youngster from Brazilian side Palmeiras.
The only problem with the youngster is that success seems to have affected him and the striker is beginning to get caught up in his own hype. After taking Brazilian football by storm 2008-09, where the 21 year old was in prolific form, scoring 24 goals in 35 games for Palmeiras and overshadowing the likes of Ronaldo and Adriano in Brazil. There was even speculation that the youngster would break into the Brazil squad and earn a place at the World Cup. Ronaldo even said of the youngster:
“He’s a great player, he knows the ways to score. He’ll be in Europe in no time.”
But with so many Brazilian youngsters, Keirrison’s head was turned by the big money and the bright lights of Europe. Dreaming of a move to Barcelona, his form dipped, the goals dried up and Palmeiras were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores and the Sao Paulo State Championship.
Barcelona did sign the youngster last summer, but quickly loaned him out to Benfica to allow Keirrison to get used to the European style of play. The Brazilian failed to impress in Portugal, starting only one game and playing only 199 minutes for the club. Stuck behind the likes of Nuno Gomes, Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardoza for Benfica and with no chance of progressing, Keirrison joined Fiorentina on an 18 month loan in January, where he has made two substitute appearances thus far.
A deadly scorer with silky passing, Keirrison is a real poacher in front of goal and has modelled his game on his idol Romario, which probably explains his attitude problems. When Keirrison returns to Barcelona from Fiorentina, he will face major competition to break into the Barcelona attack, competing with the likes of Ibrahimovic, Messi, Henry and Bojan for a first team place. But even if the Brazilian fails to emulate Romario’s success at the Nou Camp, there will be no shortage of takers for the youngster. Rafael Benitez is a known admirer, having previously tried to sign the Brazilian in January 2009, just before he sold Robbie Keane back to Spurs, and was also linked with a loan move for "K9" in December.
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