Reinier Jesus Carvalho

Reinier's career has one striking symmetry: a €30 million move to Real Madrid at eighteen, and five years later a free transfer away without a single first-team appearance to show for it. He arrived from Flamengo in January 2020 already decorated, having captained Brazil's under-17 side at the South American Championship and won the 2019 Copa Libertadores and Brazilian league title with the Rio club. At Real Madrid he made three appearances for the Castilla side.

Instead, his development took place almost entirely away from the Bernabéu. Real Madrid sent him out on a string of loans: to Borussia Dortmund, where he won the DFB-Pokal in 2020–21; then to Girona, Frosinone and Granada in successive seasons.

There was one clear highlight in Brazilian colours during those years: Olympic gold with the under-23 side at the Tokyo Games, coming off the bench in the final against Spain. In August 2025 he returned to Brazilian football on a free transfer to Atlético Mineiro, with Real Madrid retaining a 50% sell-on clause, and signed a long-term contract running to the end of 2029. He chose the number 18 shirt in honour of his late brother, and opened his account for the club with a goal in the Campeonato Mineiro.