Sporting CP has a huge tradition of developing world-class wingers. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani or Ricardo Quaresma just to name a few, were born in Alvalade and became elite players that marked an entire generation. Such a respectful list gives Sporting's youth a certificate of quality and every year, a new project comes up to make the fans dream about the new Cristiano.

Who is Joelson Fernandes?

Superb technical skills, speed, and finishing. His name is Joelson Fernandes, Barcelona's most recent target. The 16-year-old winger was recently promoted to Sporting's first team, after completing 25 games with the U-23 team, where he scored 5 goals.

Born in Guinea-Bissau, Joelson signed his first professional contract with the club just last year. A club that saw him for the first time at age 11, in a tournament especially made to find young talents. After 2 years traveling around 250 km from Aveiro to Lisbon every weekend to play for Sporting, Joelson was hosted in the club's Academy at age 13 and began his journey to become one of their finest prospects. The club secured their gem until 2022, putting a release clause of €45 million.

Joelson: Europe's top-6 prodigies

His talent has been recognized already by many and recently, L'Équipe named him one of Europe's best prospects, along with Sebastiano Esposito (Inter Milan), Karamoko Dembele (Celtic Glasgow), Mohamed Ihattaren (PSV Eindhoven), Karim Adeyemi (Red Bull Salzburg) and the well-known Ansu Fati (FC Barcelona).

Barcelona amongst the European giants that are tracking Joelson Fernandes

The Blaugrana already expressed their policy of adding young talent to their team, not only through La Masia but also from abroad. Names like Ansu Fati, Carles Pérez or Riqui Puig are good examples of Barcelona's strategy and Joelson Fernandes fits perfectly in that. The club is reportedly tracking the player for quite some time and could make a move soon before he "explodes" in the first-team and his value rises. Inter Milan are also in the chase and reports were pointing that the club tried to acquire the player last summer.

It's expected that Joelson could make his debut still this season with Sporting CP.

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