Brazilian wonderkid “Venom”- The snakebite story of Manchester United target

Manchester United are reportedly stepping up their background work on Gabriel Veneno, with UK reports claiming the club are firmly in the mix for the Atletico Mineiro teenager.

Manchester United seem to be compiling scouting reports and keeping close tabs on the 16-year-old. As of today, there is nothing concrete on the Brazilian side yet. FIFA rules block any move to Europe before he turns 18, and Atletico tied him down to a contract until 2028.

But before any transfer narrative gathers real weight, it is worth understanding exactly who this teenager is and why he is generating so much noise.

Why “Venom”?

His real name is João Gabriel Castro Santos. He was born in Bahia, in 2009. The nickname that now appears in European headlines comes from a childhood accident.

“Veneno” translates to “venom” in English. And it actually fits. On the pitch, he plays with aggression, speed and a kind of infectious energy that makes him stand out quickly at youth level.

Last year, speaking to CBF TV, he explained the nickname: “When I was three years old, in Bahia, I was at my grandmother’s house in the countryside, playing. I was just a little kid. I got tired and leaned on a cement tank that had a broken edge, and I put my hand under the lid”.

“But I put my hand on top of a snake, and it bit me. It was poisonous, and they had to remove my finger. A few months later when I went to a youth tournament in Bahia, a club director gave me that nickname: João Veneno,” he explained.

The Manchester United target lost part of his right ring finger after days in hospital. Today, he says he feels “normal” and “calm” about it.

A true wonderkid

The hype started early. As told by Placar, at a youth tournament in 2023, when he was only 13, scouts were already warning each other: “Keep an eye out, there will be a different kid in this match.” Atletico Mineiro were watching too, and moved fast to sign him.

The noise around him is not restricted to youth competitions. Veneno was called up to Atletico Mineiro’s senior squad for the first time at 16, during last season’s Brazilian league campaign.

“The coach tried to shake things up, bring something new. But he is clearly the player with the biggest hype in the academy, monitored since he was 10. He is very flashy. Likes to do step overs, nutmegs, flicks”, as assessed by journalist Guilherme Frossard.

Left-footed, he operates mainly on the left wing but can also play on the right. In terms of style, he has already been compared locally to Neymar and even Riyad Mahrez for his close control and flair.

There is also the lifestyle shift that often comes early with modern prospects. According to Itatiaia, Veneno now lives in a £400,000 (€460,000) mansion in a city near Belo Horizonte. The property was reportedly purchased weeks after he signed his first professional deal, following lengthy negotiations.

In less than two years, he has worn the Brazil U17 shirt and picked up interest from Europe. He is also an Adidas global athlete, just like Manchester United’s kit supplier. That detail does not decide transfers, but it rarely goes unnoticed.

For now, there is no deal to discuss. Still, if United are indeed positioning themselves early, it helps to know who “Venom” really is before the noise gets even louder.