Khaldoon Al Mubarak Reveals Man City Have a ‘Tremendous’ Talent Pep Guardiola Has Only Used Three Times!
City chairman hails 19-year-old Vitor Reis as a future star despite his limited game time under Guardiola – could he be the next big thing at the Etihad?
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has singled out young defender Vitor Reis as a player with huge potential, despite the teenager barely featuring under Pep Guardiola this season.
Speaking in a recent interview on Manchester City’s official YouTube channel, Al Mubarak reflected on a difficult 2024/25 campaign – one in which City, surprisingly, ended without a trophy for the first time in seven years. While acknowledging the team’s challenges, he also used the opportunity to shine a light on a lesser-seen name at the Etihad Stadium.
“Vitor Reis, a very talented central defender, very versatile, young, but he has all of the attributes of what we think will be a tremendous player for this club,” said Al Mubarak, expressing confidence in the 19-year-old Brazilian.
Reis was signed for a hefty £29.4 million fee from Palmeiras in January, arriving alongside another promising central defender, Abdukodir Khusanov, who cost £33.8 million from RC Lens. While both signings turned heads, it was Khusanov who got the nod from Guardiola. The Uzbekistan international made nine appearances before Josko Gvardiol was moved into the heart of defence and Nico O’Reilly took control on the left side.
Reis, on the other hand, featured just three times and wasn’t even included in the matchday squad for the final six Premier League games of the season.
Despite his limited minutes, the youngster clearly has admirers at the club – and beyond. Al Mubarak’s comments come amid interest from top clubs like Arsenal and Real Madrid, who were also tracking Reis before City swooped in.
City goalkeeper Ederson has also spoken glowingly about his fellow Brazilian. In an interview with ESPN Brasil, he described Reis as “very promising” and someone who’s destined for the top if he keeps up his hard work and learning mindset.
“Vitor has a very great talent, with a very promising future,” Ederson said. “It’s hard to put a 19-year-old defender directly in the Premier League, especially in City, but he has already had some games and performed very well.
“He listens a lot, works hard in training, in the gym, and is even taking English classes. If he continues with this mentality, he will certainly be one of the best defenders in the world in the future.”
With John Stones possibly on his way out this summer, there could be a golden opportunity for both Reis and Khusanov to step up next season. While Guardiola didn’t give Reis many chances in his first few months, both Al Mubarak and Ederson’s public backing suggests the club sees the young defender as a long-term key player.
City fans may not have seen much of Vitor Reis yet, but it sounds like it won’t be long before the Brazilian is making a name for himself at the Etihad.
