Reinier Jesus: A Promising Career Takes a Downward Turn
In a twist of fate, Reinier Jesus’ promising football career has taken a sudden downward turn. Initially hailed as one of the brightest talents from Brazil, Reinier made headlines in December 2019 when he was approached by Real Madrid amid strong interest after a meeting with his family at the hotel hosting Flamengo during the Club World Cup in Qatar.
Early Career and Transfer to Real Madrid
At just 17, he was bubbling with excitement at the prospect of joining the prestigious club, especially after participating in a successful youth career with Flamengo, where a release clause of €30 million ($33 million; £25 million) was inserted into his contract. This figure was projected to increase over time, making it clear that a move was imminent.
Originally, he had been slated to join a smaller club in Europe, with teams like Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, and Everton vying for his signature. However, Real Madrid outmaneuvered all rivals, securing the talented midfielder in 2020 after Reinier’s father toured Manchester City’s facilities, indicating interest from the English side as well. Ultimately, Madrid proved irresistible, following a strategy to enlist promising young talent from Brazil, especially after losing Neymar to Barcelona.
Madrid’s executive, Juni Calafat, was instrumental in Reinier’s recruitment, having established a rapport with the player’s family during scouting trips in Brazil. Following an agreement with Flamengo in January 2020, Madrid activated his release clause, agreeing to distribute the transfer fee with a substantial portion allocated to his former club and the rest divided between his family and agent. Reinier and his family promptly began preparing for the move, learning Spanish in anticipation of his imminent signing.
Challenges and Loan Spells
However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 complicated his early days at Madrid. Playing under the guidance of legendary former striker Raul at the reserve team, Castilla, Reinier found the initial period productive, contributing two goals and an assist in three appearances. Just when his form seemed to be building, the Segunda Division season was halted, presenting a challenge to his progression.
Following the lockdown, Madrid’s first-team manager, Zinedine Zidane, allowed Reinier to train with the senior squad, but it became apparent that he was not in their short-term plans. Subsequently, he was loaned to Borussia Dortmund for two years with an option to buy. While many expected him to flourish in the Bundesliga, the reality was starkly different; Reinier was unable to secure significant playing time, totaling just 340 minutes in his first season.
Despite winning a gold medal with Brazil at the Tokyo Olympics, his second season with Dortmund did not improve significantly, and by the completion of his loan, Madrid reassessed their strategy for young talents. They began preferring permanent transfers with buy-back options for their youth players instead of loans. This change in approach came too late for Reinier, who found himself trying to revive his career through further loans.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
During a stint at Girona in the 2022-23 season, injuries plagued his performance, allowing him little opportunity to showcase his potential. Following this, in August 2023, Reinier joined Frosinone in Serie A, where he managed three goals and two assists in 23 appearances before being relegated.
As he returned to Madrid last summer, hopes of joining the first team were dashed when he was reassigned to Castilla, leading to his frustration over inconsistent communication from the club. With his future growing increasingly murky, discussions about his next steps are anticipated soon, although sources reveal he may be inclined to return to Brazil, with both Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro showing interest.
Reinier’s journey from a highly touted wonderkid to more of a forgotten figure serves as a stark reminder of how swiftly fortunes can change in professional football, leaving many to ponder if this young talent will ever fulfill the promise he once held.
