Two teens to Barcelona

[Dave Marino-Nachison]

This was posted on the MLS N&A board:

"Youth players Giovanny, 14, and Jonathan Dos Santos, 13, have signed with famed Barcelona in Spain. The teens are the sons of former Monterrey La Raza forward Zizinho Dos Santos. Their uncle is former Hotshot and Dynamo Beto Dos Santos, who remains active in the youth community here."

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/soc/1864045

Very interesting news for obvious reasons... It's not clear that they are American citizens but as this was published in the Houston Chronicle it's certainly plausible.

[The Wanderer]

I can't think of any other reason that they would mention these boys in the Houston Chronicle. I guess it depends on if their parents now live here in the states(Houston).

[Excape Goat]

Their uncle played indoor soccer in Houston. He is still active in Houston area according to the articles. So Houston might be interested in reporting the two kids. The uncle might be friends with the soccer writer at Houston Chroncile. He might mention that his two nephews join Barcelona.

[Dave Marino-Nachison]

According to the writer of the article, the father is Brazilian and the boys were raised in Mexico.

[Alex_1]

Originally posted by Dave Marino-Nachison
According to the writer of the article, the father is Brazilian and the boys were raised in Mexico.

Definitely Brazilian names. That is a very interesting find man! It will be something to track their progress over the next few years and see what happens and what direction they decide to go in. I don't know how big a role that obtaining citizenship would pertain for them to be on the US team if they grew up in Mexico. Chances are, they could also play for Mexico then too.

But interesting information.

[sch2383]

Originally posted by Dave Marino-Nachison
According to the writer of the article, the father is Brazilian and the boys were raised in Mexico.

Yes, but where were they born and what passport do they have?

[Dave Marino-Nachison]

Originally posted by sch2383
Yes, but where were they born and what passport do they have?

According to the writer of this reply to your post, if I knew I'd have posted it.

[sch2383]

Originally posted by Dave Marino-Nachison
According to the writer of this reply to your post, if I knew I'd have posted it.

I know you would have, its more of the big question in the grand scheme of things.

[Various Styles]

Hummmmmm :)

[Various Styles]

Just thought i give an update on the Dos Santos lads.. Their mom is Mexie and she wants them to represent for el Tri-Color. Anyways the article claims that Giovanni is known by his peers as the new "Ronaldinho" and the article goes on to claim that he will soon be capped by the Mexican U-17 squad.. Now that i think about it there are four Mexican players at Barca !!! Rafa Marquez with teh senior team, the Dos Santos bro's and Santiago Fernandez in the reserves, good times indeed..

MEXICO TIENE EN GIOVANI DOS SANTOS EL CRACK ESPERADO

Le dicen Ronaldinho y no solo por su color o su pelo ensortijado. Giovanni dos Santos, hijo del ex Americanista Zizinho, entrena en el juvenil A del Barça y todos en el club aseguran que su talento es inmenso.

RECORD visitó en Barcelona a esta prometedora figura que tiene todo para ser un “crack”, y que, por mandato de su madre regiomontana, será mexicano.

Su rostro es aun de niño , pero su físico ya impresiona, pues a sus casi 16 años de edad luce unas piernas muy fuertes.

Empiezan las interescuadras y ahí por fin vimos al joven con el balón. Impresiona. Tiene un control que lo hace sobresalir inmediatamente del resto, lo trae natural.

Golpea el balon con pulcritud, es preciso en los pases largos y ejecuta los tiros libres con el toque de los grandes.

Por algo sus compañeros-como referimos al inicio-lo llaman el "nuevo Ronaldinho", mote que le impuso el influyente diario catalán Mundo Deportivo

"Juega mucho mejor que yo" dice Zizinho con una sonrisa, "y no quiero que pierda ese gusto por jugar"afirma.

Si EU tiene a Freddy Adu, España cuenta con Cesc Fabregas y Argentina con Lionel Messi, México ya tiene a Giovanni dos Santos.

PARA LA SUB-17

Humberto Grondona, seleccionador oficial de las categorías menores, tiene al joven mexicano en la mira para el próximo mundial de la especialidad.

Fuente: Record

[superdave]

How did these kids get around the FIFA rule about the international transfer of children? Uh-oh, it looks like the Borg just took a direct hit.

[Dave Marino-Nachison]

Well, Dave, I'm not sure but I think their move predated it. Is there a grandfather clause? (In saying this I am also admitting I don't know if they have European passports.)

VS, thanks for the update. I'm guessing that these kids don't have U.S. citzenship if their mom is Mexican -- that's a bit of info I didn't know.

[Wahoo]

How did these kids get around the FIFA rule about the international transfer of children? Uh-oh, it looks like the Borg just took a direct hit.

I thought it was possible for youths to move to the youth programs of teams.

Wasn't it possible for Danny Szetela to go to England to play for the youth squad?
He just couldn't go and sign a professional contract... or am I remembering this wrong.

[gnk]

I thought it was possible for youths to move to the youth programs of teams.

Wasn't it possible for Danny Szetela to go to England to play for the youth squad?
He just couldn't go and sign a professional contract... or am I remembering this wrong.

That is my understanding, too, for what it's worth. (I know, it ain't worth sh&t.)

[Sandon Mibut]

I thought it was possible for youths to move to the youth programs of teams.

Wasn't it possible for Danny Szetela to go to England to play for the youth squad?
He just couldn't go and sign a professional contract... or am I remembering this wrong.Danny Szetela has a Polish, ie EU, passport and thus the FIFA youth foreigner restrictions wouldn't apply to him in Europe.

[metroflip73]

Over on the Mexico forum, there are those who are already creaming their pants over this Brazilian-Mexican-Houstonian.

[juventino3]

Over on the Mexico forum, there are those who are already creaming their pants over this Brazilian-Mexican-Houstonian.

Yeah, they are pretty much trying to naturalize any South American they can get a hold of these days.

[ugaaccountant]

I thought it was possible for youths to move to the youth programs of teams.

Wasn't it possible for Danny Szetela to go to England to play for the youth squad?
He just couldn't go and sign a professional contract... or am I remembering this wrong.

Didn't John O'brien go to ajax's youth at 14. He wasn't dutch was he?

[Wahoo]

Didn't John O'brien go to ajax's youth at 14. He wasn't dutch was he?

The new rules just went into effect a year or so ago...
And no... he wasn't Dutch

[Eric B]

Maybe it's possible they weren't actually signed with a club, hence there was no transfer involved.

I still don't think that youth players with youth clubs (a la the US) are actually recognized by FIFA. Isn't that how Danny Szetela could have signed with Everton, or was he already 18?