Bournemouth Starboy Rayan Named In Latest Brazil Squad - Again!

Bournemouth have found a gem in attacker Rayan and he has once again been giving a spot among Brazil's exciting and talented squad.

The youngster is now part of a Brazil squad for their upcoming fixtures against Australia and India during the September and October international window. Brazil will first face Australia in Townsville on Friday 25th September, before the two nations meet again in Brisbane four days later. Carlo Ancelotti’s men will then travel to Kolkata to take on India on Saturday 3rd October, in what will be the first ever senior international meeting between the two countries.

Rayan’s first World Cup campaign may have ended earlier than Brazil would have hoped, but the Bournemouth youngster impressed and gained valuable experience on football’s biggest stage. Then 19, he became just the sixth teenager to start a World Cup match for Brazil and became the first to do so since Marco Antonio all the way back in 1970.

Named in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad at just 19, Rayan was an unused substitute in their opening 1-1 draw with Morocco before making his debut and assisting seven minutes into his debut against Scotland, becoming the youngest player on record to provide an assist for Brazil at the World Cup. He was then handed his World Cup debut against Japan. He played the full 90 minutes as Brazil came from behind to win 2-1 and reach the knockout stages. The Cherries attacker was trusted again in Brazil’s last 16 tie with Norway, starting on the right wing and playing 66 minutes in a game where Brazil ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat, bringing their tournament to an end.

Rayan may not have hit the heights expected of him just yet this season, but the Bournemouth winger has already shown why he remains such an important part of the Cherries’ attacking plans.

The young Brazilian has started all three of Bournemouth's Premier League games so far, featuring heavily in the side’s attacking patterns. While the goals and assists have been absent in the league, his movement, directness and ability to link with those around him have made him a consistent threat. 

He managed to grab his first goal of the campaign in the week, coming off the bench to score against Lincoln in the EFL Cup. Rayan made an immediate impact following his introduction, testing the goalkeeper before finally getting his reward in stoppage time. He calmly finished from close range after being played through by Daniel Jebbison to complete a comprehensive 4-0 victory for the Cherries.

It could well be an important moment for Rayan, who will be hoping his first goal of the campaign, followed by an international call up, can provide the spark needed to take his performances to another level. With his confidence growing and Bournemouth’s attacking structure developing, there is plenty more to come and the Cherries fans will be hoping it comes to fruition against Brentford on Saturday.