From futsal hero to Brazil call‑up, Mauro Júnior’s long road to the senior side

At 27, Mauro Júnior has been Convocado for the first time to the Seleção Brasileira principal, a milestone that crowns a career that began with a seven‑goal futsal performance and a standout showing at the Copa Nike Sub‑15 in 2013. The PSV left‑back’s call‑up marks a dramatic contrast to his early days on small courts in Brazil.

Early brilliance in futsal and the Nike tournament

During a futsal match, Fábio Francez, the player’s long‑time agent, first saw the teenager and recalled, “Ele arrebentou com a partida, fez sete gols, salvo engano, e ali já percebíamos que se tratava de um talento.” The performance caught the eye of scouts at the Copa Nike Sub‑15, a competition for players born in 1998, where the 1999‑born Mauro was the youngest participant. Fábio later said the youngster was elected the melhor jogador do torneio.

The tournament also attracted Richard Mettes, founder of Total Football Agency, who coordinated with Francez to present a project for PSV. Their joint effort secured Mauro’s move to the Dutch club at just 14, making him the sole 1999‑born player among a field of 1998‑born peers.

Transition to Europe and professional development

Arriving in the Netherlands in the summer of 2013, Mauro began training with PSV before signing his first professional contract in 2017. He remained linked to Desportivo Brasil until he turned 18, debuting for the Brazilian side in 2017 before joining PSV permanently that June.

After a brief spell with Jong PSV, he broke into the first team later that year, featuring in 15 Eredivisie matches and scoring once in the 2017/18 season, a campaign in which PSV also claimed the Dutch championship. A loan to Heracles Almelo in 2019 provided regular minutes; he played 29 games and netted six goals before returning to PSV, where he has become one of the squad’s longest‑serving members.

Now a regular left‑back for PSV, Mauro’s adaptability and maturity have been praised by Francez, who highlighted the player’s calm, intelligent, and competitive nature from a young age. “Ele sempre foi muito sereno e consciente das etapas escalonadas em sua trajetória,” the agent noted, emphasizing the player’s ability to handle each career step despite his youth.

The recent call‑up, announced by the Brazilian federation, reflects the culmination of a journey that began on futsal courts, progressed through a Nike Sub‑15 triumph, and endured the challenges of moving to Europe as a teenager. It underscores how early talent identification and steady development can lead to senior international recognition.