Girona coach Michel doesn’t let himself get carried away very easily.
He couldn’t resist the temptation, however, and after seeing Savinho train for the first time during last year’s pre-season, he immediately called sporting director Quique Carcel.
“We’re going to finish in the top eight,” he told Carcel, who tried, in vain, to bring him back down to earth. “Are you crazy or what?” It turns out that Michel couldn’t have been more right.
Such was Savinho’s impact at the Montilivi stadium that Michel’s prediction was not bold enough – as Girona fought for the La Liga title until the end. They finished third – behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona – and qualified for the Champions League. It was the best campaign in the club’s 93-year history.
Much of the credit for this has been given to their electrifying winger.
In the space of a year, Savinho went from struggling player in PSV Eindhoven’s reserves to emerging star in Spain, making his debut for Brazil against England at Wembley.
“I know this is a big statement, but I haven’t seen anyone so effective in one-on-one situations since Vinicius Jr came along,” said Michel.
“He was perhaps the most surprising talent in La Liga if you consider that [Jude] Bellingham was already known by everyone.”
It’s no wonder Manchester City made Savinho their first signing of the summer, signing him from sister team Troyes, who loaned him to Girona.
The 20-year-old became the first player to climb to the top of the City Football Group pyramid.
After finishing last season with 11 goals and 10 assists for Girona, he will be determined to prove he is here to stay. It shouldn’t be a problem for someone who, despite their age, has always stood out for their strong character and self-esteem.
“I was born with the gift of playing football,” he said on several occasions.
City coach Pep Guardiola now hopes to make the most of it.
‘This boy is going to be a football player’
Savinho is not your typical football player.
Having grown up in his grandparents’ house, in the rural area of São Mateus, in southeastern Brazil, he learned early to ride horses, milk cows and plant vegetables such as lettuce, okra and tomatoes. It remains his favorite vacation destination.
“If you ask him if he wants to spend the day in Cancún, Mexico, or with his grandparents, he will definitely choose the latter option. This is his passion,” said his mother, Dona Nilma.
As much as Savinho enjoyed the day-to-day life on the farm, he was destined for football.
It didn’t take long for Nilma to find out too – he was just five years old when he heard a prophecy from one of his first coaches.
“This boy will be a football player,” he predicted.
Savinho started playing on the beach and, after moving to the field, he soon entered the radar of the big teams.
Ultimately, the left-footer signed for Atlético Mineiro after impressing in the match against the under-17 team. He was 11 years old.
Precociously, he became, at 16, the youngest player to play for Atlético in the Brazilian Championship and, at 18, the youngest to score for the team in a Copa Libertadores game.
His meteoric rise convinced City Football Group to act quickly and beat off competition from Arsenal to secure his services in 2022.
‘A player with 10 goals and 20 assists’
Strong on the ball and capable of changing direction in the second half, Savinho was originally signed up for third division club Troyes, but never played for the French national team. Instead, he was loaned to PSV.
An early injury, however, prevented his progression and, combined with the reduction in the following minutes, made it impossible for him to shine in the Eredivisie.
Girona scouted him at the 2023 U20 World Cup and decided he was worth a gamble, although it wasn’t easy to convince Michel at first as he had asked for an experienced winger.
“Savinho didn’t have much senior football; he was sidelined at PSV, played for the reserves, but not as a starter, so it was a difficult sell,” said Carcel.
He had to start running and he did so, imposing himself from the first moment he arrived in Catalonia. He wasn’t allowed to hang up for a minute. He just couldn’t do it.
“You have the potential to finish this season with 10 goals and 20 assists, so do it,” Michel said during halftime of a match in which he had already scored and assisted once.
It certainly won’t be easier for Savinho under Guardiola.
He does not care. He is living his dream.
