The 21-year-old's star continues to rise and has fine form has been rewarded with an unexpected call-up to Dunga's Copa America squad after Luiz Gustavo was forced to withdraw
Walace was preparing for a league game with Palmeiras. Having travelled up to Sao Paulo with the rest of the squad it was business as usual for the young midfielder who was focused on ensuring his side continued their fine start to the Brazilian season while keeping one eye on August’s Olympics.
Then came an unexpected call from USA. Play the game, then pack your bags, he was told. Walace Souza Silva was Coming to America.
The 21-year-old had become the sixth change to Brazil coach Dunga’s original 23-man Copa America squad. There was initially some confusion over who he would replace, but the assumption was he would come in for captain Miranda who had just limped out of training with muscle pain.
The Brazilian football federation, however, would later confirm it was a like-for-like swap as Luiz Gustavo had been forced to leave the squad for personal reasons.
“I’m very happy to get my first call-up to the national team. It’s result of my hard work and dedication. I will do my best to find my place,” Walace said via social media.
Walace has emerged over the past 12 months as the latest in a long line of traditional Brazilian holding midfielders and has starred in Roger Machado's side in Porto Alegre. A U-20 international who accompanied his country to the South America championships in 2015, he is expected to play a major role in the Rio Olympics later this year.
He began his career in the modest surroundings of Simoes Filho, Bahia. After impressing in an under-17 tournament he was spotted by a scout from Florianopolis outfit Avai and joined the club’s youth ranks in 2012.
An initial loan to Bahia brought little playing time but an impressive showing against a Gremio under-19 team earned him a big move south.
Three years on he has established himself as a major figure at Gremio and will arrive in USA on Saturday in the form of his career, with 87 senior appearances appearances under his belt and all four of his career goals to date arriving this year.
His cool head and a maturity beyond his tender years have earmarked him as one of Brazil’s most promising young talents. Known as ‘paizão’ (big daddy) by his team-mates, Walace is already seen as a reference and leader at his club.
Standing 6’2, he is powerful, athletic, quick and has shown an increasing appetite for trying his luck from long range with powerful drives at goal.
Originally seen merely as the archetypal Brazilian stopper in front of the back four, his overall game has improved hugely during his short time as a pro. He is breaking up the play with increasing regularity and committing less fouls, while also adding a tendency to get forward and help out in the attacking third.
Every bit the contemporary midfielder, he looks destined for Europe and will be one of many attracting scouts from some of the world’s biggest clubs at the Olympics in August.
His hefty €10 million price tag has done little to deter the likes of Benfica or Inter Milan, who are both reportedly keen to take him across the Atlantic in the European transfer window.
Walace will travel to USA on Saturday, missing Brazil’s opener against Ecuador, and will join the squad in Orlando ahead of the Selecao’s Copa America clash with Haiti.
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- Goal