Eight-Year-Old Kauan Basile Surpasses Lionel Messi & Neymar As Nike's Youngest-Ever Signing

Posted Friday, January 29, 2021 by sportbible

Eight-year-old Kauan Basile has reportedly signd with Nike - meaning he has done so at a younger age than Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Basile is currently in the youth ranks at Brazilian side Santos and Diario Ole report he has signed a three-year guaranteed deal with the sportswear giant.

It means he has beaten the previous record held by Santos alumni and current Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who signed with Nike aged 11.

Neymar is another Brazilian superstar who was signed up as a teen, doing so when he turned 13-years-old.

While Messi is better known for his ties to Adidas, he inked a contract with the American giant as a 15-year-old.

Basile plays in Santos' U9s futsal team and was named player of the tournament at 2019's Sau Paulo Futsal Championships.

A post on Basile's Instagram page read: "19.01.2021, a very special day for me and my family, I signed my first contract with @nikefootball at the age of 8 [sic].

"What an immense happiness, I just have to thank God for everything he has been doing in my life, thanks @rodrigoarantesfreitas for the confidence, we are together!!"

MengoniSports, who represent the youngster, said: "Today Kauan broke the record of being the youngest player in the WORLD by signing a contract with Nike! He is pure talent! It is football in the soul, in the heart and in the DNA!"

Basile has been dubbed a "wonder boy" in his home country and he is the son of former Corinthians forward Andrezinho.

His father told Argentine publication Clarin per Marca: "Kauan is a player with an absurd desire to win. He has a lot of technical quality."

He is definitely one to keep an eye on in the future.