Leo Baptistao

[DonAndres]

Name: Leo Baptistao
Position: ST/CF
Squad Number: 29
Date of Birth: 26 August 1992 (age 20)
Height: 1.81 m
Club: Rayo Vallecano

Club Career
After moving to Spain from Brazil, he joined the youth team of Rayo Vallecano. However in his early years hepatitis and a collarbone injury prevented him from joining the first team and stunted his development slightly. He made his first team debut for Rayo this season in an away game against Real Betis. He assisted the first goal and scored the winner in a 2-1 victory. He's been great for Rayo this season with 6 goals and 4 assists in 12 appearances. He has played as a striker, a winger, and a false 9 which speaks volumes about how versatile he is as a player. Comparisons with Michu have been made but many say he plays much more like Luis Suarez (minus the controversy). He boasts speed, dribbling ability, power, good finishing, and maturity for his age. He's been rumored to have agreed to join Atletico Madrid in the summer for a fee of 6 million euros on a 4 year contract. This could be an amazing piece of business if they end up selling Falcao or Adrian. Leo has massive potential and his presence could add enough squad depth for Atletico to go far in the CL next year (unless they get rid of stars such as Turan, Falcao, Courtois, Adrian, etc.)

International Career
He has not featured for any international team at youth or senior level. He can choose between Brazil or Spain should they offer him a role in their respective NT's. Del Bosque has been reported as saying that La Roja are fishing for Baptistao. Baptistao responded to these rumors saying that he is very honored and would be glad to play for Spain one day.

 

[Theconomist]

Never seen him play but I'm glad he could play for spain.
It's usually these players that don't get into the spotlight until their early 20s that make it.
Good luck to him.

 

[Deco 20]

This video is blocked in Sweden but maybe some of you can enjoy it...

 

[xaviniesta]

saw today a doc about him on goltelevsion as well today. seems like a really nice guy too. one of the future stars with iago aspas in la liga. which means they will play in PL next season for like €2m both

 

[Deco 20]

Aspas is 25 or something, so not very young. Aspas is a Celta fan and he has a 10m buyout clause (cheap) so he probably won't go unless someone activates the clause.
As for Baptistao there's been rumours about Atletico, Rayo and him agreeing on a move in the summer for 6m euros. Let's hope it's true.

 

[DonAndres]

Hugo Mallo is more likely to move than Aspas. In fact Mallo would be a good buy for Madrid considering that Arbeloa is their best right back but i doubt they would place a bid for any player who isn't an established star.

If Aspas were to move he'd be a good business deal for someone like Tottenham or Arsenal. I'd say Liverpool but he'd just be throwing his career away there. Baptistao would be an amazing buy for Atleti considering how they have a knack for making forwards world class and well known. Celta Vigo has a lot of good, untapped players in their ranks.

 

[Deco 20]

Yeah, Mallo along with Montoya and Carvajal is one of the most promising young Spanish right backs. I don't know anything about his character but he's a local boy, just like Aspas. He joined their cantera as a kid and has played over 100 first team games already.

 

[DonAndres]

All 3 are great prospects. Seems funny that after a generation of someone like Arbeloa as first choice right back, there will be a generation of 3 huge potential talents all trying to replace him. I wonder which one will get a spot in the WC squad next year.

 

[Deco 20]

I heard Mallo got injured vs Real Madrid

 

[DonAndres]

twisted knee. i don't think it was that bad.

 

[Deco 20]

Now they're saying he might be out until the end of the season.

 

[DonAndres]

Oh god i didn't think it was that bad....... This could really stunt his development and he was having a great season so far. It's a shame

In other news Baptistao has now been linked with Manchester United. If he moves there it will no doubt destroy his career. No playing time and United aren't really good at promoting youth. I hope that Atletico do end up buying him.

 

[DonAndres]

Scored today against Atletico! This puts him at 7 goals and 5 assists in 20 appearances this season. Very productive and he's only 20 years old.

Here's a highlight video: