Marquinhos
Age: 21
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Center Back/Fullback
How do you stand out on a field where, on your own half alone, stand Oscar, Coutinho, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, and Neymar? In short, you dominate. And in his short time in a yellow Brazilian kit, Marquinhos has done just that. The center back (who often finds himself out wide as a fullback) has earned his place in Paris Saint-Germains starting XI at just 21 years of age, sharing the spotlight with countrymen Thiago Silva (possibly the best defender in the world), and Sideshow Bob impersonator David Luiz.
The young defender made his first appearance in a major international tournament last summer at Copa America. Though he didn’t see much time (just a few minutes during a group stage victory), he used the cup as a learning experience. When he returned to PSG, the agile, yet ferocious defender stayed under the tutelage of his countryman, Silva, and has continued to make enormous strides in his development. Though he may be on the way out of Paris (both Barcelona and Chelsea have shown interest with the latter having submitted a bid), his growth in Ligue One cannot be understated.
While he may not be the first name you think of when Brazil comes to mind, he’ll be the last. Don’t be surprised if he’s the man at the end of the pitch, stopping a potential game-winning cross from reaching the box.
How to cite this article: “The Young Guns” Written by Shaker Samman (2016), Copa America Centenario 2016 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/copa-america-centenario-2016-guide/the-young-guns/ (accessed on (date)).
