Player Analysis: Hugo Souza

It has been a roller-coaster year for Hugo de Souza Nogueira, or Hugo Souza. The 22-year-old goalkeeper made the transition from Flamengo's academy to the first team, suffered familial tragedy and found himself in the fringe of the manager's plans before being thrown into the deep end amid a crisis. Souza locked down a starting spot in goal and led Flamengo to the Brasileirão title, becoming the youngest goalkeeper in Flamengo's 125-year history to accomplish the feat.

Souza began his development at 5 years of age, taking his father's suggestion and playing in Vasco's futsal academy. He received a monthly sum of 600,000 reais to afford transportation to training while helping his unemployed parents to survive, but after the financial aid was cut, he decided to abandon the club and head for Fluminense, where he would briefly stay before heading back to Vasco, only to depart the club once again after his allowance was cut for the second time.

He did not give up on his dreams, however, and continued playing in an amateur club before a friend of his father managed to get him a trial with Flamengo's academy. The goalkeeper took the opportunity by the scruff of his neck and made Gávea his home; at 10 years of age, Souza was already playing regularly for the U-14 side. His trajectory, despite the financial difficulties, would be rewarded with several trophies including the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, the main grassroots tournament in Brazil.

His form at club level prompted Brazilian national team manager Tite to call up the 19-year-old in a 23-man roster for friendlies against El Salvador and the United States, although he did not play a single minute in either match. Four months later, he was called up to the 2019 South American U-20 Championship in Chile, but once again did not feature as Gabriel Brazão started in goal instead of him.