The old-fashioned mecurial playmaker, Ganso has been tipped for big things since breaking into the Santos first team in 2008. He was since been involved in three consecutive Campeonato Paulista title wins as well as lifting the Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores. But for all the success of his team, the 22-year-old’s displays over the last year have failed to show why he is so highly rated on a consistent basis.
Throughout his time with the Peixe, Ganso has suffered from intermittent but lengthy injuries. He was sidelined in August of 2010 and did not make his return until March of the next year. After playing a pivotal role in the last 16 Libertadores elimination of Club America he was consigned to the treatment table once more in early May, causing him to miss the quarter-final and semi-final stage of the tournament. He only made his return in the second leg of the final, but he did manage to put in a decent performance as Santos defeated Penarol 2-1.
His delicate touch and piercing passes created some of his side’s best opportunities across the 90 minutes but it failed to be a similar story when Mano Menezes selected him as his playmaker-in-chief for Brazil’s Copa America campaign soon after. Ganso was frequently isolated in a disjointed 4-2-2-2 formation and bore a lot of criticism for the Selecao’s lack of ingenuity. It would not be the only time he would struggle on the big stage.
After limping off while on international duty against Ghana in September last year, he spent two months in the out through injury again. He was passed fit weeks ahead of the Club World Cup but against Kashiwa Reysol and Barcelona he looked devoid of ideas. He was not only one. Santos were simply outclassed by the Catalan side who eased to a 4-0 win over the Peixe.
Since then he enjoyed a consistent run in the side throughout the state championship, producing two stand-out performances. One came as Santos won the first leg of the Paulista final against Guarani, with Ganso scoring the only goal and the other in the Libertadores last 16 second-leg against Bolivar in which he netted twice in an 8-0 drubbing. It appeared he had returned to his best as he conducted the attack with consummate ease, yet these displays came against two vastly inferior sides.
As Santos’ run in the Libertadores continued, Ganso opted to undergo knee surgery which made him unavailable for the recent friendlies with the Brazilian national team. He returned for the Classico Alvinegro against Corinthians in the semi-final but he was hugely ineffectual. He may have been out of practice but he failed to unlock a team who are known for their resilient defending and his side were eliminated.
Not only did he suffer continental heartache but by foregoing the Selecao’s recent games he may have surrendered his spot in the starting line-up ahead of the Olympic Games this summer to Oscar. The Internacional midfielder exceeded all expectations and now there are questions as to whether Ganso deserves to be in the side. Menezes could opt to use both, pushing Oscar out to the right but could dampen his influence.
The 22-year-old is thus yet to be a consistent performer on the big stage despite having a Libertadores title to his name. He has put in no performances at the international stage worthy of such hyperbole. The pressure and responsibility that comes with great expectations may weigh heavy on his shoulders, yet his club and international team-mate Neymar seems to have coped with his well enough.
But rumours over Ganso’s future remain rife with one particular club, Porto, possibly offering him his best chance of European success. He is not ready for a move to one of the top three leagues this side of the Atlantic Ocean and he would possibly look out of his depth. Inconsistent performances and injuries mean that he remains somewhat of an unknown quantity.
It remains unlikely that he will move to Europe before the World Cup, similarly to Neymar. This may not only benefit the player, but also his potential suitors. Ganso will almost be 25-years-old come the end of the World Cup and he will have crossed the line from potential talent, to actual talent. If he impresses with his country then there will be heated competition for his signature, if he fails to live up to expectations then it would be best for the elite clubs to avoid him.
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