Meet Marcos Leonardo, Santos' latest strike sensation who has caught Liverpool's eye
Daniel Edwards
- 1 Aug 2022 21:15 BST
- 4 min read
Santos are not one of Brazil's richest clubs, nor do they command the biggest support; but when it comes to consistently producing sparkling attacking talent few can match them.
From Pele onwards Vila Belmiro has witnessed the flourishing of countless promising young careers.
The likes of Robinho, Neymar, Gabriel Barbosa, Rodrygo and most recently, Juventus hopeful Kaio Jorge have all graduated out of the club's academy in the last 20 years and now Marcos Leonardo is gearing up to follow in their footsteps. At 19 the striker is making a big impression, both at Vila Belmiro and in the wider football world.
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When it comes to the teenager, of course, the secret has been out for a while.
Marcos was born in Itapetinga in the north-eastern state of Bahia and at the age of 11 moved to Sao Paulo, with his family keen to give him the chance to develop his prodigious footballing ability. Trials with Sao Paulo and Santos were soon forthcoming, but the latter won out over their rivals to sign the youngster.
It proved a masterstroke from the Peixe's perspective. In fewer than four full seasons as a part of Santos' youth ranks Marcos helped himself to more than 100 goals, including 36 in a single Paulista Under-17 championship which broke the state record.
"I saw in him a brilliant eye for goal, opportunistic and always well placed," the forward's U13 coach Gustavo Roma recalled.
"He is a really good finisher, he always manages to be in the middle of every middle, he's very mobile and intense, with great instincts. He doesn't wait for the ball to come to him, he moves to create the best positions and finish with a goal, that's why he has so many.
"He was our top scorer in 2016 and even as a substitute last year he was one of our top scorers too. He has an eye for goal, he is a killer and born scorer."
The goals have continued to flow even as the youngster stepped up to the Santos first team, making his debut at 17 during the Covid-ravaged 2020 season.
This current term is shaping up to be his best yet. Marcos currently boasts seven in 17 Serie A appearances, prompting reports that Liverpool are considering a move for him as a long-term replacement for fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino at centre-forward.
Marcos' current release clause is set at €60 million, a hefty fee for sure but perhaps a sound investment for a player who has already drawn comparisons to former Brazil great Romario due to the ease with which he finds the net.
Any such move would take place with an eye more to the future, with the Reds fully loaded with attacking talent at the moment.
With Mohamed Salah, Firmino, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and new arrival Darwin Nunez all fighting for places Jurgen Klopp need not rush in adding to his forward line, but that does not necessarily rule out a transfer in the short term.
Madrid have shown that picking up top Brazilian talent like Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo early can pay dividends when they reach their potential and Liverpool might well choose to take a leaf out of the Merengue's book and invest early.
Marcos certainly appears to be the real deal, and while he will only improve with more first-team football and experience his scoring instincts are already fully developed, ranking among the very best in the nation.
Read more about: Premier League, Liverpool
