Madrid put on a courageous front in the years that followed despite missing out on Neymar. He was a player who had been marked out as a future superstar even before his first show-up to European football.
The endless headaches caused by Neymar and the aftermath of Barcelona’s messy negotiations may have absolved Madrid on a financial level.
Perez will not risk repeating the same. Since 2013 Real Madrid have left no stone unturned in ensuring the best Brazilian football player moves to the Bernabeu. This process has continued with the signing of Reinier, who swaps Flamengo for the Spanish capital. They confirmed the deal just a day after he turned 18, for the €35m fee.
It may still be a while before Madrid fans see their new signing in action. But the Bernabeu faithful do not need to wait until he plays in Europe to catch a glimpse of their latest acquisition.
Reiner is currently on duty with Brazil under -23s in their quest to reach this summer’s Olympic Games. There he will be following in the footsteps of Neymar and win a gold medal.
Real Madrid never again misses the boat on the next top talent
Both Neymar Jr and Madrid’s gem hold the distinction. However, Neymar was already the star attraction at 19 when he helped Santos lift the 2011 Cup while Reinier played only a slight role in Flamengo’s road to victory. Anyway, the gulf between someone like Neymar and Madrid’s new signing is as apparent as their similarities.
The reason why Perez and Madrid have swooped for Reinier now is that they do not want to give up and let anyone else have him. Especially Barca, who made tentative contacts with the player’s father before Monday’s move. And behind it all-star Neymar transfer traumatized Real, creating a determination to never again miss the boat on the next top talent, whatever it may cost.