At just 17 years old, Ryan Roberto is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young players in Brazil. Although he hasn’t yet made his professional debut, the Flamengo forward is already drawing serious attention from European giants like Barcelona and Ajax, thanks to his standout performances in the youth ranks.
Since joining Flamengo from Athletico Paranaense in 2023, Roberto has made an immediate impact. In 2025 alone, he’s racked up an impressive 20 goals and 14 assists in just 33 matches for the club’s U17 side. Those numbers have solidified his status as one of Brazil’s most exciting up-and-coming talents.
While Flamengo now has him in their ranks, Athletico Paranaense still owns 50% of Roberto’s economic rights. The Rio-based club reportedly holds an option to purchase another 20%, and given his growing potential, that could prove to be a very smart move. According to Globo, both Barcelona and Ajax are closely tracking Roberto’s development with Spanish media even reporting that Barça have already reached out to Flamengo to inquire about a possible deal.
Who Is Ryan Roberto?
Brazilian football journalist and Transfermarkt expert Thiago Rabelo believes Roberto is the brightest talent to come out of Flamengo’s academy since Vinícius Júnior, who made a €45 million move to Real Madrid in 2018.
“Ryan Roberto is the most promising player to emerge from Flamengo’s youth system since Vinícius Junior, though their paths are quite different,” said Rabelo. “Vinícius was a known prodigy from age 12. Ryan started attracting serious attention in 2023 after moving from Athletico Paranaense to Flamengo.”
On the pitch, Roberto’s playing style draws comparisons more to Neymar than to Vinícius. “He thrives in tight spaces, using his dribbling rather than speed to beat defenders,” Rabelo explained. “He’s excellent in one-on-one situations that’s really his standout skill.”
Despite his talent, Roberto hasn’t yet broken into Flamengo’s senior team, largely due to the club’s significant investment in first-team talent. But there are plans to integrate him in the near future. “He’s not fully developed yet, and still has a lot of room to grow,” Rabelo added. “I’m not sure he’s the right fit for Barcelona right now — maybe in the future.”
Could He Make a Move This Summer?
A transfer this summer isn’t out of the question, but it’s far from straightforward. Because Athletico Paranaense still holds half of Roberto’s rights, any deal would involve added complexity something that could complicate talks with clubs like Barcelona.
Still, the interest is real, and Premier League clubs are also keeping a close watch. Players like Vinícius Jr. have shown how valuable it can be for European clubs to move early on South American talent. But Flamengo won’t be rushed into a deal.
“Flamengo haven’t set a price yet,” Rabelo said, “but considering the club’s strong financial position and how they operate, I don’t think he’ll leave for anything under €15–20 million. Flamengo are the richest club in Brazil maybe in all of the Americas. They’re not in a position where they have to sell just to balance the books.”
For now, Ryan Roberto remains a name to watch not just for what he’s already achieved, but for what could come next.
