His decision to join Bournemouth has sparked controversy in Brazil, where there has been a feeling that he was meant for a bigger club.
But it was a carefully considered step.
Rayan has always insisted that he wants to have a long career in Europe. He even sought advice from former Liverpool and Barcelona man Philippe Coutinho, now back at Vasco.
“I ask him [Coutinho] a lot. Some players go to Europe but end up coming straight back. So I say: ‘Coutinho, help me. I want to make a name for myself too,'” he told Globo.
Ultimately, it will come down to how fast he can adjust to a new environment.
“Players from Rio can sometimes be less open to adapting,” Almeida argues. “They often want to keep that Rio lifestyle – the beach, rice and beans, an easy routine.
“It’ll be interesting to see if he’s ready for this step. And hopefully a club like Bournemouth will provide a welcoming setting.”
Rayan scored more goals in the Brazilian league in 2025 (14) than Chelsea‘s Brazilian youngster Estevao (13 in 2024), Real Madrid’s Endrick (11 in 2023), Rodrygo (eight in 2018) or Vinicius Jr (four in 2018) managed in a single season.
It was no surprise when his name started being mentioned in terms of a Brazil call-up last year. But head coach Carlo Ancelotti left him out of his squad.
As much as no-one doubts his potential, he still has plenty of room to improve.
“His involvement in games fluctuates a lot,” says a leading European scout who has followed him closely, speaking anonymously to protect relationships.
“He switches off at times. Sometimes, when he has to compete, he doesn’t. Even though he’s big, he isn’t as physical as he could be.
“Tracking back to help the full-back, pressing… those modern-football demands are areas where he’s still behind. Even at Vasco, people used to demand more intensity from him, to raise his tempo and increase his work-rate.”
Rayan will also have to deal with the pressure of being the next Estevao.
They played together in the 2023 Under-17 World Cup in a team that included Manchester City‘s Vitor Reis, Wolves‘ Pedro Lima and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Kaua Elias.
“I think the comparison with Estevao is going to be inevitable, because the expectation is often to find a new Estevao,” Almeida concludes.
“Estevao is probably the best player I’ve worked with at academy level in my career. And Rayan has a lot of potential. I think he can reach a very high level and play for one of the big clubs in England – he has that in him.”
Now he has to prove it at Bournemouth. Maybe not an issue for someone who has been hyped since he was 11.
