Meet Paris signing Gonçalo Guedes – the new Ronaldo?

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Portugal forward Gonçalo Guedes on a contract until 30 June 2021. UEFA.com called on its man in Lisbon to run the rule over a player some have compared to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Name: Gonçalo Guedes
Club: Paris
Debut: 8 October 2014 v SC Covilhã (Portuguese Cup)
Position: forward
Nationality: Portuguese
Date of birth: 29 November 1996
Preferred foot: right
Height: 179cm

They say ...
"Gonçalo Guedes is two years ahead of his age. You can't value a player solely on what he does with the ball at his feet; we have to look at how he understands the game tactically and physically."
Jorge Jesus, former Benfica coach who gave Guedes his debut

"Gonçalo Guedes is a quality player, like many of the youngsters that are now cementing their place at Benfica. He makes assists and scores goals, but football is more than that. He can still improve in plenty of ways, but it is satisfying for me to see him develop."
Rui Vitória, Benfica coach

Background ...
Gonçalo Guedes joined the Benfica academy aged ten and, having been identified as one of the club's brightest prospects, was often included in teams above his age group. He first hit the headlines with a bicycle kick – against Paris – in the 2013/14 UEFA Youth League, before making an impressive senior debut as a substitute in the Portuguese Cup. He became a first-team regular last season and already has two Portugal caps to his name.

• Watch spectacular goals from the Youth League

Playing style ...
He is quick and incisive with a powerful shot and an eye for goal. Though his pace lends itself to him being deployed on the wing, Benfica's injury problems have forced Guedes to play as more of a central forward at times. He leaves the Eagles with seven goals in 28 appearances this term, having registered four in 31 last season.

Shades of ...
His speed, the power of his shots and the way he is always looking to score rather than cross – as well as the ease with which he has adapted to moving more centrally – conjures inevitable comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Eureka moment ...
There was certainly one particular moment, on 30 September 2015, that launched Guedes into the big time. Running onto Nicolás Gaitán's pass and already facing a tight angle, he beat Atlético Madrid keeper Jan Oblak with the subtlest of touches to become the youngest-ever Portuguese scorer in the UEFA Champions League, aged 18 years 305 days. That goal also helped secure Benfica's first victory on Spanish soil since 1982.

• Read our report of the night Guedes announced himself on the big stage

Best-case scenario ...
Guedes leaves with Benfica four points clear at the Portuguese Liga summit; Paris, though, are three points behind Ligue 1 pacesetters Monaco. Who knows? Should he settle in the French capital and maintain his momentum, the 20-year-old might be celebrating two domestic titles come summer. Then there will be the chance to see what he can do on the international stage – either at the UEFA European U21 Championship or the FIFA Confederations Cup.

• Possible stars of this summer's Under-21 EURO

Guedes addresses the media earlier this season©AFP/Getty Images

He says
"I know I still have to improve my game and keep focused. I want to take every opportunity the coach gives me – I'm working hard every day. If I play, I play; if not, I just work even harder."
Following his UEFA Champions League debut, on 15 September 2015

"Where do I see myself when I'm 30? I don't know. I don't think about that yet. I'm living the dream, so for now I just want to make the most of my 20s and keep working to improve."
On his 20th birthday