The rise and fall of Brazilian teenager Ângelo Gabriel’s career has taken an unexpected turn with his recent move to Saudi team Al Nassr. After a reported $25 million deal, Gabriel leaves Chelsea just a year after joining from Santos. Surprisingly, Gabriel never played a single game for Chelsea during his time there, as he was immediately sent on loan to Strasbourg, a team owned by Chelsea’s American investors.
Despite being part of Chelsea’s squad for the preseason tour of the United States, Gabriel failed to break into the first team. His departure to Al Nassr will see him playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, a drastic change from his time at Chelsea. The transfer was announced after the Saudi transfer window had closed, prompting questions about Chelsea’s compliance with financial rules in the Premier League and UEFA competitions.
Gabriel is not the only Brazilian teenager who faced challenges at Chelsea. Deivid Washington, another youngster signed from Santos around the same time as Gabriel, also struggled to secure a permanent move to Strasbourg. Concerns about the transfer deal and its adherence to competition rules led to the cancellation of Washington’s move. The uncertainty surrounding these young talents highlights the complexities of navigating the European football landscape.
Chelsea bid farewell to Gabriel with a statement wishing him the best in his future endeavors. Despite his unfulfilled potential at the club, Gabriel made history as the youngest player in Brazil’s national championship when he debuted for Santos at just 15 years and 308 days old. His journey from promising talent to a player caught in the whirlwind of transfer deals serves as a cautionary tale for young footballers dreaming of success on the big stage.
Ângelo Gabriel’s career trajectory serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional football. While his move to Al Nassr offers a fresh start, the challenges he faced at Chelsea underscore the harsh realities of the sport. As Gabriel embarks on a new chapter in his career, he carries with him the lessons learned from his time in Europe’s top leagues.