Rafael Carioca

Rafael Carioca is a young Brazilian holding midfielder, currently playing for Gremio. His full name is Rafael de Souza Pereira. The player, aged just 19, is already a regular for his side.

Rafael Carioca is believed to be set to join Spartak Moscow at the end of the year from Gremio, in a fee estimated to be in the region of 8 million GBP.

In the 2008 season, Carioca only missed one game for his club Gremio.

Carioca is expected to be a regular for the Brazil national side in the future, when he gets his chance. His imminent arrival in Europe will surely improve the possibility of this happening.

Carioca is sensationally being hyped as the 'new Dunga', an accolade that many feel he is sure to prove.

Fiorentina, Stuttgart, Villarreal and Genoa were all reported interested in the player, but it appears that Spartak Moscow won the player's signature.

Carioca has been an essential part of Gremio's Brazilian title push in the last year.

Rafael Carioca combines a wonderful range of passing skills, power and strength for such a young player.

He is sure to develop into one of the best players to emerge from Brazil over the next ten years.

EYEFOOTBALL RATING:

Potential: 46/50

Current Ability: 40/50