who is Lucas Beraldo, PSG’s new Brazilian recruit?

The first reinforcement of the winter transfer window, the 20-year-old Brazilian defender has just signed up with the capital club on Monday.

This is Paris Saint-Germain’s latest discovery. Aged 20, Lucas Beraldo signed with the capital club on Monday January 1, at the start of the winter transfer window, for a period of five years. This young central defender arrived from Sao Paulo, and will strengthen the Parisian defensive sector depopulated due to long injuries to Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes. Presentation of this very promising recruit and already at the gates of the Brazilian selection.

A defender comfortable with his feet but with room for improvement physically

Lucas Beraldo has a rather complete profile and has good passing quality. “Technically, he’s a very good player.”, admitted Alex, his youth coach from Sao Paulo, in May 2023 in an interview with Radio Transamérica. This ability to restart is one of the characteristics advocated by Parisian coach Luis Enrique, keen to bring out the ball with short passes.

But the young 1.86 m defender, also capable of playing on the left or even in the middle, can still be improved in certain areas. “Physically, he suffers a littlecontinued Alex. But he’s 19 and he’s going to improve a lot.” A few months later, Beraldo has gained experience and seems more solid, despite a slight speed deficit. To the point of adapting to the intensity of Ligue 1 from its first matches?

Only one season as a professional but already at the gates of the Seleçao

Spotted by former Argentine international striker Hernano Crespo when he coached Sao Paulo, Beraldo was launched professionally by another former great player, Rogério Ceni. The former goalkeeper known for his goals in spades (132, record for a goalkeeper), made his debut in May 2022. Since then, Lucas Beraldo has established himself as one of the sure values ​​of the Brazilian championship. For example, he led his team to victory in the Brazilian Cup in September 2023 and wore the armband of the U20 selection from his first start, in September 2022.

“He is a high quality player, he is the future of Brazil”

James Rodriguez, Sao Paulo and Colombia player

at Globo Esporte

It was enough to make him a candidate for the national selection according to the Brazilian press, especially given the poor form of the Auriverdes (three defeats in a row). “I leave this in the hands of Diniz [le sélectionneur]but I really want to be selected”he soberly expressed on the TV Gazeta set at the beginning of December.

Nicknamed “the Joker” for his laugh

Despite a personality described as modest and discreet, Lucas Beraldo has a habit of… laughing out loud just before a match. This characteristic earned him the nickname “Joker”, in reference to the strong laugh of the main character in the eponymous film. However, this should not be seen as a lack of seriousness but, on the contrary, as a mental preparation technique.

“This allows me to approach matches in a much calmer and more relaxed mannerhe explained in the mixed zone after a meeting. And it works well for me!”