Maycom Cardozo leads Brazilian hopes as Bundesliga stars emerge

Brazilian prospects are set to make their mark in the Bundesliga this season, with the CIES (Observatório do Futebol) noting that between 2020 and 2025 Europe remained a favourite destination for Brazilian athletes, even though Germany is the only top‑five league absent from the Top 20 list of host countries.

Europe remains the favourite destination

According to the CIES (Observatório do Futebol), the Old Continente attracted the bulk of Brazilian talent between 2020 and 2025. The study highlights that the Bundesliga is the sole league among the five biggest Ligas in Europe that does not appear in the Top 20 of destinations for Brazilian players. This paradox underscores the growing ambition of young Brazilians to succeed in Germany.

Young talents breaking through

Com a chegada de Maycon Cardozo, Bayern Munich adds a fresh spark. Maycon Cardozo, a 17‑year‑old left‑winger, is currently on the books of Bayern Munich. He progressed through the club’s youth system and earned his professional debut in March against Borussia Mönchengladbach, adding two senior appearances to his record.

Established players seeking new roles

Arthur, a 23‑year‑old right‑back, is the only player on the list who has already been called up to the Seleção Brasileira. He moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 as the most expensive sale in América Mineiro’s history after impressing at the South American Sub‑20 Championship. After winning the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup with Leverkusen, he joined Werder Bremen on loan in early September and remains unbeaten with the club.

Kauã Prates, an 18‑year‑old left‑back, arrived at Borussia Dortmund this season and has already featured in 21 career matches. He was promoted by Cruzeiro in 2024, playing 18 games for the senior side and helping them capture a Campeonato Mineiro title. Prates also boasts youth caps for Brazil, featuring in Sub‑20 and Sub‑17 squads and winning the South American Sub‑17 championship in 2025.

Striker Rômulo, 24, currently represents RB Leipzig. In the previous campaign he logged 30 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing four assists. Across his professional career he has amassed 161 matches and 42 goals, with his most notable spell at Atlético‑PR, where he contributed to the club’s runner‑up finish in the 2022 Copa Libertadores.

Left‑back Bernardo, 31, began his senior career at Ponte Preta before moving to Hoffenheim last season. He has accumulated 286 professional games and lifted nine titles, including five Austrian Bundesliga crowns and four Austrian Cups, mainly during his tenure with Red Bull Salzburg where he made 83 appearances, scored five goals and delivered four assists.

Goalkeeper Kauã Santos, 23, transferred to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023 and has already taken part in 44 matches for the German side. A product of Flamengo’s youth academy, he earned two caps for the Seleção Brasileira Sub‑20 and was part of the squad that won the South American Sub‑20 tournament in 2023. Foto: Lesley Ribeiro documents his rise.

Defender Octávio Galdino, 20, came through Botafogo’s academy before completing his professional formation at Estrela Amadora in Portugal. He signed for Eintracht Frankfurt this season, having previously logged 58 games – 25 at senior level – but has featured only twice in the Bundesliga so far.