The Puskas winner nobody remembers
In 2023, Guilherme Madruga scored a bicycle kick from outside the box that won the FIFA Puskas Award, beating goals from the biggest names in world football. It was a moment of pure genius that went viral across every platform.
Three years later, Madruga plays for Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League. His OVR is 75. His market value is between EUR 490,000 and EUR 800,000. And his contract expires in five months.
This is one of the most peculiar market situations in the skouted.ai database.
The numbers behind the deal
The skouted.ai engine assigns Madruga a deal score of 84, one of the highest among players in the database. The reasoning:
UV score of 99 signals significant undervaluation. Contract expiring in 5 months: available at a discount.
A 75 OVR central midfielder with international experience, a Puskas Award to his name, and a market value under EUR 1 million is the definition of a market inefficiency. The Chinese Super League’s reduced profile means most European clubs simply do not track these players.
The profile
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| OVR | 75 |
| Position | CM |
| Age | 25 |
| Nationality | Brazil |
| Height | 188 cm |
| Weight | 83 kg |
| Market Value | EUR 490K - EUR 800K |
| UV Score | 99 (Highly undervalued) |
| Deal Score | 84 |
Madruga is 25, standing at 188 cm and 83 kg. He is a physically imposing midfielder with technical quality, as his Puskas-winning goal demonstrated. At his peak years, with the right move, he could contribute immediately in a mid-tier European league.
The China factor
The Chinese Super League has undergone massive contraction since its peak spending years. Salaries have come down, foreign player quotas have tightened, and the overall quality of play has decreased. But the league still employs capable footballers who, for various reasons, have ended up outside the European system.
Madruga’s situation is a classic case of the market overlooking talent because of geography. A Brazilian midfielder with his physical profile and technical ability would cost significantly more if he played in a more visible league.
The Puskas Award is not everything. But it tells you something about a player's technical ceiling. A footballer who can produce that level of finishing has the ability to play at a high level.
AI Verdict: Buy
Madruga is a calculated risk. The OVR of 75 suggests a player who can contribute in a top-15 European league. The contract situation at Shandong Luneng means he could be available for a minimal fee. And at 25, he has his best years ahead of him. For a club looking for a midfield upgrade on a shoestring budget, Madruga is one of the most interesting opportunities in the market.
View full profile and AI-powered transfer intelligence at skouted.ai