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Brazil may be a huge country, but once a new star emerges, even the most talented youngsters can go through major troughs and peaks at the start of their career under the spotlight. Alex Teixera was well known in the football mad country even when he was playing for the Vasco da Gama youth teams.
He was picked for the Under-17 Brazil national team and impressed in South American tournaments and at the Under-17 World Cup. Subsequently, the Vasco hierarchy fast tracked him into the professional squad when he was just 18.
Eager not to lose him for a small fee to a major European club, Vasco also tied down their hot prospect at the start of 2008. Teixeira signed a five-year deal and became known as the “100 million kid” as his contract included a release clause worth 100 million Brazilian reals (around 40 million euros).
Naturally, the Vasco supporters and directors expected great things from Teixeira but on the field he was largely disappointing. He rarely impressed when given an opportunity and eventually lost his place in the first team squad. He found it difficult to show all his talent in his first year as a professional, perhaps due to the immense hype surrounding him.
Teixiera was not helped by Vasco experiencing a terrible season when they were relegated to Brazil’s Serie B. It wasn’t his fault but the nickname “100 million kid” turned into a joke and the supporters grew disenchanted with him very quickly.
At the start of the 2009 season, the new Vasco da Gama coach (Dorival Junior) recalled him to the first team squad but he initially struggled. Little by little however he started to show his real value. First he relied on his speed to make the difference and then utilized his great skill of dribbling at speed which has made people sit up and take notice.
After a few months of the 2009 campaign he established himself as the best player in the Vasco da Gama team and he was rewarded with a call-up to the Brazilian national team for the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.
At this tournament he has continued to flourish as one of Brazil’s most important players in their run to the final. Teixiera scored twice against Uruguay in the last 16 victory (see video below) and is reportedly being watched by scouts from some of the biggest clubs in world football, including Manchester United and Chelsea.
Teixeira is very fast and has great ability. He can shoot with both feet and can play through the middle as an attacking midfielder, up front on the right or as a supporting striker. Crucially, he can beat men with his skill on the ball and from his performances this season it is fair to say he is a match winner.
His main weakness is heading and like almost all young players he needs to improve his strength. Teixiera earns around 25K (euros) per month, he only speaks Portuguese and does not have a second nationality.
Alex Teixeira is not worth 40 million euros yet but he could be one day. Vasco expect a bid from a European club after the Under-20 World Cup and expect to make some money from his sale. Football professionals in Brazil feel he is currently worth around eight million euros.
His dream is to play in the biggest leagues in the world and despite a contract at Vasco that expires in January 2013, we can expect to see Alex Teixeira terrorizing defences in Europe sooner rather than later.
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