The Next Generation of South American Wonderkids in Football Manager 2023

Discover the best South American wonderkids in Football Manager 2023, as we focus the attention on the best young football players from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Uruguay with the highest potential in FM23.

South America have been a hotbed for producing some of the best football talents for as long as I can remember.

From Lionel Messi topping the table of most Ballon d’Or awards to the up and coming wonderkid Endrick, Brazil and Argentina has been on the front of developing the biggest football talents in the world for the last two decades. As Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero and Marcelo are reaching their latter stages of their career, a new breed of South American football talents are ready to take Europe with storm.

Today we will take a closer look at the FM23 South American wonderkids and all the best young talents erupting in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia with extreme potential that you should sign!

The Best Football Manager 2023 South American Wonderkids you need to know of!

To follow up on my complete list of Football Manager 2023 wonderkids, the time has come to look closer at the South American wonderkids in Football Manager 2023. For years, the South American continent has offered both some of the best young players in the world and a number of wonderkids bargains and talented hot prospects that can improve your squad despite having limited funds.

Brazil and Argentina have always been one of my favorite scouting regions as there are great options to find cheap wonderkids and talents, either you’re looking for a new Kaka, the next Marcelo or Daniel Alves, a goalscorer similar to Ronaldo or a hard working midfielders like Esteban Cambiasso or Javier Zanetti.

In fact, world-class superstars have come out the conveyer belt of River Plate, Boca Juniors, Santos, Cruzeiro and Flamengo at a regular pace – making the South American continent a wonderful place to discover the next best wonderkids in the footballing world.

Since some of the best football players in the world have come through in the continent of South America, it’s only natural to scout thoroughly the nations of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay in Football Manager 2023.

To help you identify some of the future best players in Football Manager 2023, we hand you our recommendations of great signings you can make in FM23 within South America.

About Passion4FM’s FM23 South American Wonderkids list

With the access to the FM23 South American wonderkids list by Passion4FM.com you are able to improve your squad with a number of potential Ballon D’Or winners.

Our list of Football Manager 2023 South American wonderkids and talents features only players that are still plying their trade in the South American nations, and that are under the age of 21. This means that you won’t find João Pedro (Watford), Kaio Jorge(Juventus), Yan Couto (Man City), Talles Magno (NYCFC), Luka Romero (Lazio) nor Matías Palacios (Al-Ain) mentioned.

Instead, along with our recommendations of the 14 best FM23 South American wonderkids we have created a shortlist of the best young talents from South American nations which includes all the Argentinian and Brazilian wonderkids around the world. You can download the shortlist of FM23 South american wonderkids below. It gives you access to the ultimate tool to identify the future South American wonderkids in Football Manager 2023 in your save!

Here is the ultimate list of South American wonderkids every avid fans of the Football Manager series need for their quest to hunt trophies. Find wonderkids bargains and future stars that can help to bring success to your team, as we identify the best wonderkids in South America on FM23!

Top 14 Football Manager 2023 South American Wonderkids: Brazil’s Next Generation & Best Young Argentinian Talents

Luis Guilherme / 16 / Palmeiras

The Brazilian Under-17 team is packed with a number of future superstars. Behind Endrick, who is leading the line, Luis Guilherme is a standout talent. Available to slot in on the right wing as an inverted winger or playing behind the lone-striker, the talented Brazilian wonderkid is natural in the AMC position. For Palmeiras U20, he has been used both on the left and right wing revealing some of his attacking skills and versatility to be used in the entire front line.

Gifted with amazing quickness and great ball control, the young talent has been one of the best performs for Brazil U17 by scoring two goals in four matches. Like many other Brazilian wonderkids, the young talent excels with the ball at his feet with acceleration, dribbling and agility to beat his marker in one on one situations to create the necessary space to set up chances or get into goalscoring opportunities.

Even though you might not be immediately impressed by Luis Guilherme’s player profile in Football Manager 2023 at the start of a new save, he got immense potential to turn into a world class player 10 years into future.

Luis Guilherme is definitely one to watch in Football Manager 2023.

Minimum fee release clause (domestic clubs): €375K
Appr. Transfer Cost: €1-2Mill

Daniel Ruiz / 20 / Millonarios

When looking at South American wonderkids, it will always be an overweight of Argentina’s and Brazil’s next generation of football talents but if you’re clever when scouting for players, you can find a few hidden wonderkids in Colombia and Uruguay too. One of these FM23 hidden wonderkids is Daniel Ruiz.

The young winger was singed from Fortaleza CEIF in January 2022 and have had a great start to his Millonarios career. This season he has scored 8 goals, made 11 assists in 52 appearances.

The Colombian wonderkid is a natural left inverted winger who likes to cut inside and move into channels. With great vision, flair, passing, dribbling and crossing he can create chances either by himself or for his teammates. His off the ball movement and quickness will help him break through the defensive line and can finish off the attacks due to his decent finishing and composure.

Bagged with huge potential, we can only wonder how he would develop if he was brought to Europe and played for a club best known for nurturing talents… is Daniel Ruiz the biggest and best wonderkid bargain in FM23?! Possibly!

Appr. Transfer Cost: €250K-2.5Mill

Facundo Buonanotte / 17 / Rosario Central

Rosario Central is not only the local club of Lionel Messi but a club who have produced a number of great attacking midfielders – best known is probably Giovani Lo Celso or Angel di Maria.

The next is Facundo Buonanotte. The 17 year old right inverted winger signed a pre-agreement with Brighton only a week ago. Perhaps the scouts at Brighton had access to the FM23 beta?! Anyway, the Argentinian wonderkid received his debut a week before Gianluca Prestianni entering the pitch for Rosario at the age of 17 and 5 months against Godoy.

Then he played as an attacking midfielder, but has played both as right midfielder, right winger, central midfielder or left midfielder. Surprisingly, he has scored one goal in all positions except in the AMC.

IN FM23, Facundo Buonanotte has a well-rounded player profile. Great Off the ball movement, great flair, good first touch and vision. His 13 in long shows and 14 in acceleration makes him a candidate as a IF-S but could also be an ideal wide playmaker if you need it.

Gino Infantino / 19 / Rosario Central

Since Facundo Buonanotte is unavailable to sign, Rosario Central got another versatile winger you should look at. Gino Infantino could be a decent central midfielder or an inside forward to be used on the right wing.

Gino Infantino in FM23 lacks a bit of the huge potential Buonanotte got, but has well-rounded skills and the Determination to develop into a future Argentinian International player. Decent Flair, Off the ball, Passing, First Touch, Technique, Vision and Agility might make you look at him as the cheaper version of Neymar. The only difference is that Gino Infantino is better in defending than what Neymar will ever be.

Focus the development on technique and vision and you’ll have a important player for the next 10 years.

Vitor Roque / 17 / At. Paranaense

Originally a product of the Cruzeiro youth Academy, the young Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque has impressed on a number of occasions since receiving his debut for Athletico Paranaense 10 days after completing the move. Since then, the 172cm tall forward has scored four goals in 27 appearances.

His overall skills makes him able to feature in a number of attacking positions and roles. He’s played a few matches as an left inside forward, but is probably best used as an Advanced Forward where you can profit from his quickness, off the ball and finishing.

With time, he could turn into a great option as False 9. He already got the dribbling, teamwork and ball control to both keep possession of the ball between the lines and finish from outside the penalty box in a similar manner as Lionel Messi.

Min. fee release clause (foreign clubs): €60Mill
Approx. Transfer Cost: €12-15Mill

Gianluca Prestianni / 16 / Velez Sarsfield

For anyone following us at social medias you might noticed I had huge expectations for Gianluca Prestianni in FM23. When talking about South American wonderkid I had anticipated his potential to be as close to Luis Guilherme, and not at a similar level to Norwegian talent Anders Børset.

Anyway, Gianluca Prestianni is the next big thing to come through the Velez Sarsfield youth academy. He made his debut for the first team in June and have so far made 1 assist in 5 appearances.

Gianluca Prestianni in FM23 got decent acceleration and technical skills to handle the ball. Able to play in any position up front he’s a creative player who resembles Messi in the off the ball movements and low centre of gravity as he runs with the ball to attract pressure.

The young talent likes to cut inside from both wings and is able to use his decision-making and vision to make through balls and key passes.

The creative winger is one of the most interesting wonderkids in Argentina at the moment, at least from my perspective. Will you sign Gianluca Prestianni in FM23?

Approx. Transfer Cost: €7-8Mill

Agustin Ruberto / 16 / River Plate

While Brazil U17 got Endrick and Luis Guilherme, the Argentinian Under-17 national team got Agustin Ruberto and Gianluca Prestianni.

While Prestianni received his debut in Liga Profesional June 25th, 2022, Agustin Ruberto is still plying the trade in the youth ranks of River Plate. The 16 year old advanced forward has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances for Argentina U17. Together with Claudio Echeverri, Agustin Ruberto is one of the most interesting talents in Argentina at the verge of breaking through.

The player profile of Agustin Ruberto in FM23 at the start of the game might not immediately stand out but looking closer at his skills, you’ll find a player who can become a great Advanced Forward.

He is able to hold control of the ball regardless of pressure, top notch determination and the necessary dribbling skills to beat his marker one-on-one.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Argentinian wonderkid touted to be the next Gabriel Batistuta.

Approx. Transfer Cost: €500K-6.5Mill

Ângelo / 17 / Santos

My new favorite Brazilian wonderkid since Talles Magno moved to NYCFC and the young player broke through in Brazil is Ângelo Gabriel. A product of the renown Santos Academy, the Brazilian wonderkid got his Serie A debut at the tender age of 15 and 10 months becoming the second-youngest player ever to debut for Santos after Pele.

Since 2020, the young inverted winger have turned in 95 appearances for the club – scoring 3 goals and making 9 assists on the way, something that has alerted the English Premier League club Newcastle, despite reports has it that Barcelona got first-option to buy the player when turning 18.

Angelo Gabriel in FM23 got everything you expect in a Brazilian wonderkid. Huge potential, incredible flair, brilliant in dribbling, as well as great Acceleration and Pace.

With his contract set to expire in 2024, it’s possible to strike a great deal when singing Angelo Gabriel in FM23. He might even be available on loan in the first season! But I recommend to act fast if you’d like to sign the player for the best possible transfer cost as possible. For only €14-21Mill, this magic player can be yours in FM23!

Min. fee release clause (domestic clubs): €30Mill
Approx. Transfer Cost: €14-21Mill

Marcos Leonardo / 19 / Santos

The Santos Academy does not only include Angelo Gabriel. For maximum €24Mill you can get the next Edmundo – a versatile forward who was quick, powerful, creative whilst also possessing the technical abilities to both score and assists his teammates.

Marcos Leonardo on the other hand could turn into more of a profilic goalscorer than Edmundo. In his last year as teenager, the Brazilian forward suitable to be used as CF-A, Pressing Forward or AF-A, is the current topscorer for Santos’ first team.

This season he has managed to score 13 goals in 33 appearances, or 21 goals in all competitions.

Marcos Leonardo in FM23 stands out in the Finishing department. Take advantage of his great Acceleration and off the ball movement and let him become a penalty box player who can finish off the attacks with brilliant composure and shot accuracy.

Min. fee release clause (domestic clubs): €67Mill
Approx. Transfer Cost: €16-25Mill

Benjamín Domínguez / 18 / Gimnasia (LP)

If the price tag on Ângelo might make you shy away, you might find Benjamín Domínguez a great option. The 18 year old inverted winger playing for Gimnasia (LP) got the unpredictability and off the ball movement you want from an attacking player. His low centre of gravity, ball control and creativity helps the team when entering the final third to come to chances. With sublime first touch, technique and dribbling skills he’s a press resistant winger who can hold up the ball and help the team to retain possession in the final third.

The 172 cm tall winger has the versatility to play both as an right inside forward or as a false 9 and could be a valueable option for any teams playing a possession-based football or who likes to hit their opponents on quick breaks. In a counter-attacking system his off the ball movement and quickness will surely come to display.

In FM23, he is wanted by Crystal Palace and Juventus at the start of my save and in the beta he was signed by Arsenal giving you a few hints about his abilities.

Approx. Transfer Cost: €5-10Mill

Robert Renan / 18 / Corinthians

South America is not only about attacking minded players gifted with flair and technique. Brazil has managed to produce a number of gifted central defenders. The next in line to follow in the foot steps of Thiago Silva or Marquinhos is Corinthians’ 18 year old centre back, Robert Renan.

Robert Renan received his debut in the Serie A in june 2022 and have so far received 8 appearances in the Brazilian top division. Reckoned as a ball-playing defender in Football Manager 2023, the Brazilian wonderkid got everything required of a modern centre-back. Decent quickness (which can be improved upon), good positioning, tactical intelligence to intercept passes and block shots, aggression to close down the opposing threat as well as the ball control required to play out from the back.

All in all, this makes this South American wonderkid one of my favorite players to sign on FM23.

Approx. Transfer Cost: €15-18Mill

Arthur / 17 / Fluminense

Fluminense might not be the first club you think about when scouting for South American wonderkids but in fact they have established themselves as having one of the best youth academies in Brazil. Over a few years they have seen Evanilson, João Pedro, Fabinho, Kayky and Gerson.

In FM23, Fluminense have a number of Brazilian wonderkids you should look at. Apart from Matheus Martins, Martinelli and the two new FM23 Wonderkids Kauã Brasília and Esquardinha the club got Arthur Wenderrosky.

Arthur Wenderrosky is an attacking midfielder with world-class potential who is currently part of the Brazil U20 squad but has representd both the Brazil U16 and U15 national teams.

Arthur Wenderrosky in FM23 is a diamond in the rough. Gifted with good passing, first touch and technique he’s able to become a passing maestro like Kevin de Bruyne or Xavi. His vision and composure on the ball will help the team to work the ball forward and make those necessary progressive passes to break through the opposing lines.

whether you use him as an advanced playmaker on support to replicate the role of Martin Ødegaard in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal tactic, or you favor to use him as an Mezzala in a Pep Guardiola 4-3-3 recreation is solely up to you. Regardlessly, he’s a player who can fit both systems with time.

Time is of essence when it comes to Arthur. He needs to develop his awareness and balance to become a world-class playmaker. For such a bargain price, he’s a must-sign on FM23 in my eyes!

Approx. Transfer Cost: €1.5-3Mill

Beraldo / 18 / São Paulo

São Paulo have produced some of the best centre-backs and defensive midfielders in football Europe today. Eder Militão (Real Madrid) and Casemiro (Man Utd) are both players coming through the São Paulo academy. Now Lucas Beraldo is following in their paths by getting his debut for the first team earlier in July.

Even though he has a number of areas to develop to his game, his abilities makes him able to play in a number of roles. He can become a good half back if you want to experiment with that role, or you can let him be at the base of your back-three system if you favor to play a possession-based 3-4-3 system.

As a ball-playing defender in a traditional two-man defence, Beraldo stands out for his abilities in aerial situations. Despite needing to improve his strength, his marking and tackling makes him get a long way countering opposing threat by specific man-marking.

His positioning and anticipation is also decent for his young age letting him intercept passes and block shots. To summarize, he could be a great option for teams in France, Holland, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

Approx. Transfer Cost: €150K-7.5Mill

Valentin Barco / 17 / Boca Juniors

Valentin Barco is currently the fourth youngest player in history of Boca Juniors to make his debut which came in July 2021. Since then the Boca Juniors wonderkid have been troubled to break through in the first team despite having unfulfilled world-class potential.

In his youth Valentin Barco was a traditional attacking winger gifted with brilliant off the ball movement, quickness and having the natural instinct of being unpredictable both on and off the ball. Like many other wingers Valentin Barco has been retrained into an attacking wingback to become more dangerous with their runs from deep.

READ MORE | The rise of Valentin Barco

As a modern wingback, Valentin Barco fits the ball perfectly. He’s got great quickness which is needed in todays football. Great vision and passing to create chances and make progressive passes from deep as well as the dribbling to get by his marker and come to crossing opportunities.

What Barco lacks is the stamina and mental attributes to stamp their mark on the game for the full 90 minutes. To be able to cover the entire left flank he needs better stamina. He’s first touch must be improved as well to ensure he’s able to keep possession when put under pressure and the defensive positioning to remain a solid backline in the defensive phase.

However, it’s no questions about his potential and only time will tell if he manages to make a breakthrough for Boca Juniors and the Argentinian national team – if so, Man City and all the top clubs will stay in line to get the hold of him!

Similar style of play: Ryan Sessegnon

Approx. Transfer Cost: €5-6Mill

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Find More South American Wonderkids in FM23…

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Who’s your favorite Football Manager 2023 Wonderkid from South America?