Lulinha Next Big Thing From Brazil?

Inter are now also following a very young Brazilian.

Having the same name as the President of Brazil has earned him the nickname "President of goals", but his fame comes exclusively from his skill and his goals. Marcelo Moraes dos Reis Lula is known in the football world simply as Lulinha, a name that bears resemblance to that of Brazilian president Luis Inacio Lula de Silva.

The difference with Brazil's first citizen is that the young man born on 10 April 1990 is able to do marvellous things with the ball at his feet and, despite being still a minor, he has been attracting attention from all corners of the footballing world, who will observe him closely during the next Under 17 World Cup to be played in Korea from 18 August to 9 September.

Among those people will be an observer from Inter, who has been requested to make a full and detailed report on the player on account of his performances in Korea. Certainly he will not suffer the pressure of being under close scrutiny. He's used to it, as his father Vanderlei has been bringing him to try outs for various clubs since he was 8, when he already had some amazing tricks up his sleeve.

Whoever wants to buy him will be able to sign him only after 10 April 2008, when he will celebrate his 18th birthday. Corinthians don't want to lose him but, with his contract expiring in 2009, if it is not extended they will have to start considering offers which are bound to come in for the player.

The lad who grew up at Santa Maria playing futsal, the Brazilian name for 5-a-side football, has also attracted the interest of Barcelona, who are always on the lookout for "baby" phenomenons. His idols are Zidane and Ronaldinho, even though he describes himself, rather unmodestly, as a mixture between Kaká and Ronaldinho ("I have the speed of the first and the ability of the second").

Since a few months he also has one of the most sought after agents in Brazil, Wagner Ribeiro, who also enabled the transfer of Robinho to Real Madrid. Ribeiro says Lulinha can be bought with an investment of 4 million euros, but the reality is that probably at least 10 million will have to paid for him.

Lulinha's translation to Italian is Luigino. Figo's first name is Luis, Luigi in Italian. Is it only a coincidence or is a possible substitute for the Portuguese already being lined up?