Who Is Sávio—Girona’s Brazilian Battling Barcelona And Real Madrid?

It’s well-known that Europe is the ideal destination for most young, homegrown Brazilian soccer stars. Even so, Barcelona—and Real Madrid especially—typically enjoy the upper hand when vying for the best picks from the South American market. At least, they do in Spain.

One such Brazilian is making some bright first impressions in La Liga. And he’s doing so around the table’s summit. Yet, he’s not demonstrating his flair in a Real or Barça jersey. Instead, 19-year-old Sávio, also known as Savinho, is helping challenge them with Girona—Spain’s overachieving entertainers this term, despite a slight bump back down to earth after losing at home to Los Blancos at the Estadi Montilivi.

On average, Sávio is providing his team with almost a goal or assist per game, netting twice and teeing up four since arriving in Catalunya earlier this summer. Fast and with a surprisingly good passing range for a winger, he’s among the many scoring threats at Girona’s disposal. Under coach Míchel’s command, players such as Sávio and Viktor Tsygankov pile forward from midfield, offering more than enough support for lone striker Artem Dobvyk. The result is a group that scored 18 in its first seven games—uneclipsed in the top leagues.

Sávio, who grew up and worked on a cow farm, stood out on another field early on. Like his current shirt number, he made his professional debut for Atletico Mineiro aged 16. Less than two years later, he left Belo Horizonte to kickstart his career overseas. It turns out the move didn’t come too soon. He seems to have adjusted to European soccer after breaking through the ranks in Brazil.

“We already knew that Sávio was a jewel,” said Júnior Chávare—an Atlético Mineiro soccer executive while he was progressing through the youth setup—to Marca following his lighting start in Spanish soccer. “He was the headline act in the youth leagues and was always different. He’s a professional sportsman with an excellent mindset. He has everything it takes to succeed abroad, to play for the best clubs in the world and be central there.”

The natural depth in both Clásico sides’ squads signals little regret at missing out on a talent like Sávio. Girona welcomed the attacker on loan from French side Troyes after being impressed by his stints in The Netherlands and France. In contrast, Madrid tends to strike deals for players during their early development across the Atlantic. Take acquisitions Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Endrick, for instance. Incoming forward Vitor Roque would be the go-to example at Barcelona.

Any potential loss for other admirers is Girona’s gain. Still, while you can marvel at the club’s dizzying heights during only its third season in the top flight, it’s worth remembering that Girona’s game plan has outside influences. Overseeing its progress from the top is majority shareholder City Football Group, which controls perennial Premier League winner Manchester City and smaller clubs elsewhere. Benefitting from the well-backed City Football Group’s player network and development, Girona is nurturing smooth talents like Sávio.

Nevertheless, Girona has operated shrewdly. Following a commendable mid-table finish last season, many star players left. Adept replacements have come in, and so have more attractive soccer and fun-filled games—this time enough to dine at the top table. That is despite not being anywhere near its competitors’ squad spending power—with a €52 million ($55 million) limit allocated by La Liga this year.

Can it keep pace with usual suspects Barcelona and Real? Without wanting to puncture the fairytale narrative, the last occasion these two or Atlético Madrid failed to win the crown was two decades ago. In recent championships, Real Sociedad and Sevilla have flitted into the reckoning, but sustaining title-challenging form throughout has proved a mountain too steep. Qualifying for European competition and the financial rewards participation brings seems more attainable. And Sávio will play a pivotal role.

One day, he may shine for one of Girona’s current rivals. Now, it will look to keep him for as long as possible.