In our series of scout reports of potential Football Manager 2026 wonderkids, the time has now come to look closer at one of the most sensational Brazilian wonderkids; Gremio’s rising star Gabriel Mec.
At just 17 years old, Gabriel Mec is already being hailed as Brazil’s next footballing gem. The dazzling talent emerging from Grêmio’s youth academy with a flair comparable to Ronaldinho and a versatility that has Europe’s top clubs on high alert, the teenager is deemed as one of the world’s brightest talents of the 2008-generation.
In this scout report of Gabriel Mec we will dive into the remarkable rise of Gremio’s next superstar by exploring his positional abilities, style of play, strengths, and areas for growth, while assessing why Chelsea, Manchester United, and others are racing to secure the teenager who could redefine the future of attacking football.
Contract Expires: 30.06.2027
Gabriel Mec
Full Name: Gabriel Ferreira de Carvalho
Club: Gremio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 17 (April 11, 2008)
Primary Position: Attacking Midfielder
Secondary Position: Right Winger, Left Winger or Second Forward
Preferred Foot: Either
Height: 173cm
How good is Gabriel Mec in Football Manager 2024? Watch the video above where FranklyFM84 simulates Gabriel Mec progress 15 years into the future on Football Manager. Can he become the next Brazilian football legend?
Browse the scout report of Gabriel Mec
Who is Gabriel Mec?
Gabriel Ferreira de Carvalho aka Gabriel Mec first arrived in the spotlight at the age of 15 when reports claimed Chelsea had signed the player on a pre-contract to move to Europe when turning 18. However, the Brazilian teenager opted to stay with his boyhood club for the time being to focus on his development.
Having played for Gremio since the age of 9, Gabriel Mec told in an interview with SporTV that he was determined to become a star at the Arena do Grêmio. As he put it; “My mind is on Gremio. I want to make my name here. This club has always been with me since I was little, since I was nine. I’m going to make a name for myself here, God willing.”
In January 2025, Mec signed his professional contract keeping him at Gremio until end of June 2027. It included a €100m release clause – something that underline his superstar potential.
Coming through the youth academy of Gremio, Gabriel Mec is a highly versatile player who can operate in all positions up front. Known for his flair, two-footedness, and Ronaldinho-esque creativity, Mec made his professional debut for Grêmio on January 30th 2025, against Monsoon FC in the Campeonato Gaúcho by receiving 29th minute of action in Gremio’s 3-0 win.
Although a regular for the Under-20s team, the Brazilian wonderkid impressed both pundits and fellow colleagues with an impressive performance that showcased his confidence and technical brilliance to create space for his teammates through remarkable ball control, agility and awareness.
In his first team debut, the elegant attacking midfielder operated on the right wing where he could cut inside with the ball onto his strongest foot and thereby dragging the opposite marker out of position – just like what we have come to love in Lamine Yamal’s style of play.
Called up to the Brazilian Under-17s team that faced Ecuador over two friendly matches earlier in February, Gabriel Mec unfortunately never made it off the bench but he has been a regular in the youth national teams of Brazil U15 and U16 over the last few years.
The rise through the ranks of Gremio has been quick. From playing for the Under-17s side in 2024 to first team debut, the generational talent has made some impressive performances.
In the Copinha 2025 he scored 2 goals over 8 apparances and helped the U20s side to reach the semi finals of the youth tournament where they were beaten 1-0 by Corinthians.
Last year he scored 6 goals over 24 appearances for Gremio U20 after an outstanding 4 goals in 6 apps for the U17s side.
Although his statistics isn’t exceptional like Lennart Karl or Chido-Obi Martin, who we have looked at before, Gabriel Mec has the potential to become a key player for one of the top European sides. Let’s take a closer to why that is.
Positional Abilities
Gabriel Mec is a versatile attacking player capable of operating in multiple forward-thinking roles.
His primary position is as an attacking midfielder (AMC), where he thrives in the pockets between the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines and can use his playmaking abilities to create chances for his teammates – or create chances by smart movements such as cutting inside with the ball, or carrying the ball around his marker and thereby using dribbles to create chances for himself.
In that position he is able to blend oustanding flair with vision, off the ball movement and technique to retain possession regardless of the pressure and how much space he has to operate in.
He also excels as a left winger (AML) or right winger (AMR), often cutting inside to create or score, and can function as a second striker in a supporting role. His positional flexibility stems from his technical quality, spatial awareness, and ability to adapt to various tactical setups.
His skill set enables him to thrive in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system, playing as a #10 in the pocket or as an inverted winger, where he can exploit spaces and create chances within the half space channels.
Like Estevão or Endrick, the new Brazilian gem has the abilities to thrive as a second striker if necessary where he can combine his oustanding technical abilities to play between the lines with speed to make darting runs in behind the opponents defensive line, he can provide that attacking threat the greatest Brazilian footballers have had to offer.
Although suitable to play as a Shadow striker or Trequartista between the lines, Gabriel Mec has the ability to suit teams that prioritize quick transitions – making him able to fit into any modern football tactics regardless of what system they play regardless of the team being Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United – who have all monitoring the player’s progress.
Style of Play
Gabriel Mec is a flair-driven, unpredictable playmaker often compared to Grêmio’s legendary Ronaldinho for his creativity and entertainment value.
His style is characterized by directness, technical brilliance, and a knack for producing match-defining moments.
Standing out for his quickness, agility and close control, Gabriel Mec not only loves to take on opponents by using tricks and feints to move the ball towards more dangerous zones but also play quick one-two’s and killer balls to open up a low block.
Using his low centre of gravity and outstanding ball control to move the ball into the final third, Gremio’s latest wonderkid glides around the pitch with such an ease that everything looks effortless.
His rapid feet and wonderful close control is not only helpful in the attacking transition but as a highly press-resistant attacking midfielder or winger, he can hold onto the ball while the team is organizing themselves after regaining possession or sprint back to disrupt the opposition from countering.
Now, it’s important to remember that his defensive contribution isn’t the greatest. However, Gabriel Mec is far better at taking on opponents by baiting them to tackle before using a feint in his dribbling vocabular to drift past them.
Personally, I believe Gabriel Mec style of play reminiscent Lamine Yamal. Both players is capable of creating chances using their passing technique, off the ball movement and vision to become the team’s primary wide playmaker.
The skilful Brazilian wonderkid is capable of using either foot – something that must be a pain for the opposite marker to come up against. Never knowing whether the player will move on the inside or on the outside, or from which feet the pass or shot will be delivered from, Mec is a magnician with the ball that can outwit his marker with an unpredictability on the same level as Lionel Messi.
Often tending to cut inside from the right flank, the Brazilian whizkid loves the freedom the Trequartista role provides – roaming around the pitch to find pocket of spaces to receive the ball. However, his style of play compares to the Inside Forward or Inverted Winger – capable of placing the ball at the back of the net after moving diagonally from the flank towards the centre – something we have seen Lamine Yamal or Lionel Messi have done before him.
His outstanding technique makes him a promising candidate for taking free-kicks in the future and with an oustanding ability to strike the ball and thereby curve it towards the far post, he can go on to become a topscorer in one of the top 5 leagues if he gains experience and his physicality improves.
Quick Summary of Mec’s Best Skills
Dribbling & Flair: Gabriel Mec is a magician with the ball. Often using feints, back-heels, nutmegs, and quick changes of direction to outwit defenders his low center of gravity and nimbleness allow him to glide past opponents effortlessly. With exceptional ball control he has the ability to manipulate the ball in tight spaces – something that is elite for his age.
By combining dribbles with flair, agility and quickness he is difficult to defend against in 1vs1 situations as he can turn as quickly as he glides past his marker.
Mec’s unpredictability, flair, and determination allow him to produce spectacular moments whether that comes from passes, dribbles, finishing or off the ball movements.
Vision & Passing: His ability to spot and execute key passes, particularly chipped or through balls, sets him apart as a playmaker. Capable of taking part in intricate passing patterns and moving the ball on one touch play by flicking the ball quickly with accuracy, he can unlock the tightest defences with his creativity.
Capable of passing the ball with precision regardless of whether playing short or more direct passes, for instance when switching play from one flank to the other, he got the passing technique to become a world class wide playmaker.
Often favouring to do the unpredicted, he is capable of producing those jaw-dropping moments any fans of football lives for.
Goal Threat: His off-the-ball movement and finishing ability ensure he contributes goals as well as assists. In the final third, his composure combined with finishing and long shots offers the team another layer to the attack apart from the goalscoring instincts of an out-of-out striker. According to YouTuber Bola da Vez, Mec has received his nickname due to his calmness in front of goal.
Two-Footedness: Comfortable with both feet, Mec is unpredictable when shooting or passing, capable of finishing or creating from any angle – this makes him a constant threat in possession.
Weaknesses
Decision-making: At the tender age of 17, Gabriel Mec still needs to improve his decision-making. Although his anticipation and composure is above his age, he can often be too creative or over-ambitious in his passes, dribbles or finishes.
Often trying the spectacular, rather than doing the simple and efficient, Mec has a way to go to be considered a regular first team starter. Sometimes gifting the opposition the ball by trying to hold up the ball when the team is unbalanced, or try to perform more risky passes by moving the ball diagonally between the lines, it represents a huge risk in today’s football with more teams capable of transitioning from defence to attack rather quickly.
Defensive Efficiency: While he shows a willingness to track back, Mec’s defensive work rate and effectiveness off the ball require significant improvement to meet the demands of top-level football.
Although he is capable of using his quickness to intercept passes, his tackling, stamina and bravery must improve if he should be considered a useful winger for top sides.
In fact, to combat for his defensive weakness, he is better suited in systems where you got a more defensive-minded fullback holding position behind him to defend against counter-attacks.
Physicality: At 173 cm and with a small frame, Mec struggles in contact situations. He needs to build muscle mass and physical power to compete consistently against senior defenders.
Although a rising star, his lack of physical power might be the reason why Chelsea has cooled their interest and why the teenager hasn’t received more minutes for Gremio’s first team over the past three months.
His lack of strengths and natural fitness could be a issue for his development as he might be able to pick up injuries often – especially if we consider the risk of being fouled often, similar to what happens with other players of his skill set.
At the same time, if we take into account the few appearances for the first team (43 minutes over 2 appearanaces) – the last one coming in February 1st 2025, Mec currently lacks senior-level experience, which may delay his adaptation to European football’s intensity.
According to Oglobo Gremio, his progress will further be hindered by the broken ancle he suffered in the middle of March and the outlook of recovering from the injury might takes months to recover. That means the player won’t get back to action until the second phase of the Brazilian Serie A, making a transfer deal wrapped up this summer seem highly unlikely.
Player Profile of Gabriel Mec in Football Manager 2024
Born in 2008, Gabriel Mec is not included in Football Manager 2024 by default. However, by downloading the Passion4FM NextGen wonderkids database you’ll be able to get the latest Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Mec along with nearly 900 other promising talents.
Luckily, we have mimiced the style of play and outstanding abilities of Gabriel Mec in Football Manager 2024. Below we have attached the player profile of Gabriel Mec on FM24 when downloading and using our FM25 NextGen wonderkids database.
Be aware that some attributes may differ from save to save but you can get a quick overview of his development and how he will turn out in the Football Manager simulation FranklyFM84 has done.
Conclusion
Often compared to both Neymar and Ronaldinho for his quickness, flair and creativity, Gabriel Mec is considered one of the brightest young talents in Brazilian football. As one of the most exciting prospects coming through Gremio since Ronaldinho, his technical brilliance, versatility, and goal-scoring instinct mark him as a potential world-class talent. However, he must address his physicality and defensive shortcomings to fulfill his 5-star potential.
With interest from Chelsea and Manchester United, Mec’s trajectory suggests he could soon make a significant impact in Europe, provided he continues to develop and gain senior experience. With continued development at Grêmio, he has the potential to become a key player for both his club and the Brazilian national team in the future.
Potential Rating: 9/10
Gabriel Mec’s blend of technical brilliance, outstanding creativity, and goal-scoring instinct draws immediate comparisons to some of the greatest
