Giuliano     21     Midfielder     Dnipro

We’re fairly confident that Giuliano Victor de Paula was bullied as a kid. 

Why? 

Well, considering the extensive roll call of national deities he could have looked up to, young Giuliano chose not to idolise Bebeto or Romario.  Eder, Zico, Pelé, Garrincha or even Dunga were not considered bedroom wall material for the seven year old.  When the street matches were organised, when the cans were stacked up as posts, Giuliano was clear which national treasure he desperately wanted to be……

Claudio Tafferel. 

Weirdo.

The transformation of a skinny seven year old from Curitiba with an average goalkeeper fixation to one of the best young midfielders on the planet has been rapid.  This particular metamorphosis occurring over just thirteen years.

Unable to command a position between the sticks in his neighbourhood, Giuliano was ‘forced’ into a more attacking role by his youthful pals and became particularly adept at futsal, the short variation of the beautiful game beloved in Brazil. 

The talent Giuliano demonstrated at a young age suggested to the coaching staff of Paraná Clube that this kid was worth taking on.  Utilising the close control that the young Brazilian developed from Futsal ensured Giuliano was able to make the most of the wide open spaces afforded to him by the eleven a side game.  After bursting through the ranks at Paraná, Giuliano made the first team and quickly became a star.  A move to Internacional in 2009 was an inevitable outcome of his swift ascent.

A series of strong performances at the Beira Rio from the teenager over an eighteen month period helped Colorado achieve a memorable victory in the 2010 Copa Libertadores; Giuliano scoring to see off a strong challenge from Chivas in the final.  With European sides circling, Giuliano chose to take what has become a fairly well worn path of late, deciding on Ukraine and a link up with FC Dnipro.  Current Dnipro coach Juande Ramos, who you will remember from his Tottenham, Sevilla and Real Madrid days, identifying the youngster as a key component in his plans for the ambitious club.

With a quick turn of speed and some exquisite control, Giuliano knows how to use a ball and has the attributes to influence games at the highest level.  Dnipropetrovsk is a long way from Curitiba, but there does appear to be a clear intention to build a team around the small but talented Brazilian.

Lots of factors could still impact Giuliano’s development, but if he can adapt to Eastern Europe’s cultural and footballing differences, Ukraine is not a bad place to grow.  Dnipro are unlikely to challenge for the title just yet, with Shakhtar, Dynamo Kyiv and the emerging Metalist Kahrkiv set to make the running, but Ramos’ side will not be far behind.  How much of an impact they can make will be down to their Brazilian midfielder.

Nothing to get hugely excited about just yet, but we’ll monitor Giuliano’s progress with interest.

"The 21-year-old was the toast of South America last year after starring for Internacional in their 2010 Copa Libertadores-winning campaign, but a move East has sent him off the radar somewhat in the Brazilian consciousness, while Paulo Henrique Ganso, whom he kept out of the team at Under-20 level, has the visibility of playing at Santos and thus made Brazil's Copa América squad." – Jonathan F (just-football.com)

"Through effort and skill has worked up a reputation as a talented playmaker who can both assist and score." - Sergii Filonenko (Slavic Football Union)

C      Let’s see what you can do.