| Name: Matheus Gonçalves | Date of birth: 18/08/2005 |
| Position: RW – AM | Preferred foot: Left |
| Nationality: Brazilian | Club: Flamengo |
| Contract until: 31/12/2025 | Competition: Série A |
| International: – | Agency: Bertolucci Sports |
Report:
Matheus Gonçalves stands at 1.75m with a very slim build. Despite having a very slim build, Matheus Gonçalves displays slightly above-average strength on the ball, although he can lose balance when there’s physical contact a bit too easily at senior level. He is quick on the first meters but quicker without the ball than with the ball. Matheus Gonçalves quickly changes directions, looking flexible and agile displaying quick feints.
Often getting subbed on late for Flamengo and previously on loan for Red Bull Bragantino, Matheus Gonçalves mostly gets his minutes when his team are already winning the game by a big margin. This means that especially Flamengo are often playing with a low intensity during the times that Matheus Gonçalves gets subbed on. However, Matheus Gonçalves is always roaming around the pitch trying to see a lot of the ball. He mostly plays as a right-sided midfielder or as a right-winger. He is comfortable playing one-touch football but his passing is sporadically sloppy. Often operating in the right half-space, Matheus Gonçalves showcases his good touch under pressure in most situations, also turning the right way. He displays fairly quick decision-making under pressure, although he sometimes overhits his through passes.
Matheus Gonçalves carries the ball well and evades tackles well, although his follow-up action can be sloppy as there is miscommunication with his teammates. He generally displays good vision, spotting runners in behind even in slightly more congested areas though. Matheus Gonçalves spots space in behind quite well, making good runs in behind but not always getting found. His crossing is at a good level, displaying a lot of potential to become a good chance creator with his in-swinging crosses from deeper on the right wing. His dribbling is very inconsistent, although it seems like he takes fewer risks at Flamengo. He generally tries to keep the ball very close to him but can lose control over the ball, sporadically trying tricks but failing. However, in other situations, it looks like he has the ball on a string. Matheus Gonçalves sometimes loses the ball too easily when dribbling due to a lack of physical strength. His ball-striking from distance is a bit inconsistent, although he has shown glimpses of good ball-striking from range.
Matheus Gonçalves is still very raw, which is to be expected from an 18-year-old Brazilian winger without much experience at the highest level. I think he could become a good player, although his small frame suggests that his potential could be limited. Matheus Gonçalves should work on his physical ability, as this could allow him to become more efficient in 1v1 duels. With his vision, in-swinging crosses and potential to become more consistent with his ball-striking, I think he could score and assist a lot of goals in the future. Matheus Gonçalves should be monitored by the traditional top 3 in the Eredivisie, although Matheus Gonçalves needs consistent minutes for Flamengo or a different Serie A club to reach the required level for those clubs.
Target Scouting 