Benfica adored him. Real Madrid coveted him. Manchester United hoped so. Paris Saint-Germain should, barring a huge turnaround, enlist him. Her name ? Goncalo Ramos. Considered by many observers as one of the most promising in his position, the 22-year-old Portuguese striker should indeed be the future number 9 of the reigning French champions. All against a check for 80 million euros (bonus included). Author of a breathtaking last season with the Aguias where he scored 27 goals and delivered 12 offerings in 47 games in the Lisbon jersey, the native of Olhão is now preparing to carry the Ile-de-France attack.
An express ascent with SL Benfica!
Little known to the world before the last World Cup in Qatar, won by Argentina, Gonçalo Ramos continues to impress Benfica. Trained at the club, the 1.85m right-hander stood out in particular during the UEFA Youth League in 2019/2020. With 8 goals and 3 assists in 9 games, he had taken his team to the final. Despite a new double, however, he could not avoid the defeat (2-3) of Lisbon against the young people of Real Madrid. Whatever. On July 21, 2020, Gonçalo Ramos played his first professional match, in a Liga NOS match against Desportivo Aves. And the talent of the Portuguese is not long in coming…
Entering the game that day, he offered himself a double, thus contributing to the victory of his team (4-0). Since then, the dream has continued. Taking advantage of the departure of Darwin Núñez for Liverpool, Gonçalo Ramos takes on more responsibility in attack in 2022-2023. Result ? A title of top scorer in the Portuguese championship with 19 goals, to which must be added 7 assists. Brilliant during major events, the SLB center-forward also shines on the European scene (4 goals and 2 offers in 4 Champions League matches). What logically to stir up lusts during this summer transfer window. What, also, to confirm the potential seen with the Portuguese selection.
The Seleção, his playground!
Vice-champion of Europe U19 with Portugal, Ramos has, in fact, regularly illustrated in the youth categories. In 2019, during the U19 European Championship played in Armenia, he finished top scorer in the competition with four goals, including a hat-trick against Ireland in the semi-finals. Pillar of the team, he could not however prevent the 2-0 defeat in the final against Spain. Bis repeated in 2021 where he will attack Seleção U21 (14 goals in 18 games) before failing against Germany in the Euro final. Stunning in the colors of his country and author of a thunderous first part of the season with SL Benfica, he was finally selected by Fernando Santos to play in the Qatari World Cup…
Scorer and passer against Nigeria during a last friendly preparation match last November, Ramos will, despite everything, start the competition in the shoes of a luxury joker. At the edge of the lawns, he then observes Cristiano Ronaldo and his family qualify for the knockout stages. Before coming into play against Switzerland… To the delight of the Seleção. For the greatest misfortune of CR7. Author of a hat-trick and a decisive pass against Switzerland (6-1), he was finally renewed at the forefront of the attack against Morocco and thus relegated the Portuguese star to the bench of substitutes. If he cannot avoid the elimination of the Portuguese against the Atlas Lions, Ramos is now considered one of the revelations of this World Cup.
A complete and effective profile!
“If he continues to work as he has done so far, I think he has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world. He is already close to this level, but he has to go to a more competitive championship and prove himself there. I think he has all the qualities for it. He has all the qualities to play in the Premier League and when I say Premier League, I also think of Manchester United. I think he could become a great reference in his position in the years to come, but it’s not up to me to be sporting director yet.confessed, with this in mind, Red Devils attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes during an interview with Sports TV.
Despite the call from the foot of his compatriot, it is therefore in the City of Light that the Portuguese nugget should continue his young and promising career. Already in the sights of Paris Saint-Germain last summer, Ramos was one of Luis Campos’ priorities. Technical, able to play as a pivot but also renowned for his many stalls, he will thus bring his qualities as a hard worker, an attacker who helps the team a lot defensively and who actively participates in the construction of the game. he is more comfortable in a two-forward system, the Portuguese also shines with his composure in front of goal and his killer instinct in the box.
A complete profile that PSG did not yet have in its workforce and which could therefore quickly become the new darling of the Parc des Princes. Physically solid, Gonçalo Ramos will, in any case, bring his versatility and his sense of goal to Luis Enrique. Excellent news for the Rouge et Bleu, who are also preparing to register the arrival of Ousmane Dembélé and are still targeting Bradley Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani. All this, without forgetting Neymar back in the Parisian eleven and brilliant for his first tenure of the season this Thursday… A damn generous offensive sector which could well shake many French and European defenses…
