The Puskas Award winner you forgot about
In 2023, Guilherme Madruga scored a bicycle kick from outside the box that won the FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal in world football. It was a moment of breathtaking audacity that should have launched him into the stratosphere.
Instead, the Brazilian midfielder now plays for Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League. His market value sits between €490,000 and €800,000. His OVR is 75. And his UV score is 99, meaning he is one of the most significantly undervalued players in the entire skouted.ai database of over 11,000 professionals.
Why the disconnect?
Madruga’s journey from Brazilian football to China explains the valuation gap:
- Limited exposure: The Chinese Super League generates minimal scouting attention from European clubs
- Modest minutes: His 2024 season at Cuiaba in Serie A featured only 105 minutes across 26 appearances
- Positional profile: At 188cm and 83kg, he is a physical presence in midfield, but his limited sample size makes statistical analysis difficult
- Contract situation: His deal expires in 5 months, creating urgency that depresses any potential fee
The AI case
Skouted’s deal score algorithm ranks Madruga at 84, placing him in the top tier of undervalued assets. The system’s reasoning is clear:
UV score of 99 signals significant undervaluation. Contract expiring in 5 months and available at a discount. At 25 years old, he has prime years ahead.
The combination of an OVR of 75, a UV score of 99, and a contract expiring in December 2026 creates one of the most favorable acquisition profiles in the database. A club signing Madruga on a pre-contract in January would pay zero transfer fee for a player whose underlying metrics suggest value well above €800K.
Ideal landing spots
For a player with Madruga’s physical profile and technical ability:
- 2. Bundesliga: Physical midfielders thrive in Germany's second tier
- Liga MX: Brazilian players have historically succeeded in Mexico
- MLS: The league has embraced players from the Chinese Super League before
- Turkish Super Lig: Mid-table sides could use his physicality and experience
- Serie B: Italian second division has become a breeding ground for value signings
AI Verdict: Strong Buy
A 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder with OVR 75, a Puskas Award in his trophy cabinet, a UV score of 99, and a contract expiring in 5 months. For clubs in mid-tier European leagues or growing federations, Madruga is a no-brainer acquisition. The data screams value. The eye test, courtesy of that bicycle kick, confirms the talent.
View full profile and AI-powered transfer intelligence at skouted.ai