Rayan is a Brazilian footballer born in 2006, known for his skills as a forward and winger.
He plays for the Brazilian club CR Vasco da Gama, where he began his career at the age of six.
Rayan has represented the Brazil national team, showcasing his talent on an international stage.
Biography
Early Life
Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha, known simply as Rayan, was born in 2006 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From a young age, he showed exceptional talent in football, joining the youth ranks of CR Vasco da Gama at just six years old. His early years were marked by an impressive goal-scoring record, netting 280 goals by the age of eleven, which set the stage for his burgeoning career.
Career
Rayan's professional journey began when he made his debut for Vasco da Gama's senior team in 2023, becoming the youngest player to do so in the 21st century. He quickly made an impact, scoring his first professional goal in a match against Internacional. His performance in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A earned him accolades, including the Best Newcomer Award in 2025 and a spot on the Team of the Year in the Copa do Brasil. In January 2026, Rayan signed with Premier League club Bournemouth for a reported fee of £24.7 million, marking a significant step in his career.
International Career
Rayan's talent was recognized at the international level as well. He was called up to the Brazil under-17 squad in 2022, where he scored twice in four appearances. His senior debut came in March 2026, and he was later selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he made history as the first teenager to start for Brazil in a World Cup match since 1970. Rayan's journey in football is just beginning, and he is poised to become a significant figure in the sport.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of match played 17 September 2026
International
As of match played 25 September 2026
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.
Rayan was called up to the Brazil under-17 squad for friendlies against Chile and Paraguay in 2022; he scored twice in four games. On 16 March 2026, Rayan earned his first call-up to the Brazil national team for friendlies against France and Croatia, debuting against the latter. On 18 May 2026, Rayan was selected as part of Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He scored his first goal for the senior squad in a 6–2 friendly win against Panama on 31 May as part of the warm-up fixtures. He made his World Cup debut on 20 June as a substitute in Brazil's second group stage match, a 3–0 win against Haiti, replacing the injured Raphinha. He made his full debut the following game in another 3–0 win against Scotland on 24 June, becoming the first teenager to start for Brazil in a World Cup match since Marco Antonio in 1970.
Vasco da Gama
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Rayan joined Vasco da Gama at the age of six. He established a name for himself as a prolific goal-scorer, scoring 280 goals by the age of eleven. He continued this form into Vasco's under-17 team, scoring 29 goals in 34 games in 2022, catching the eye of Spanish side Barcelona. In 2023, Rayan made his professional debut at age 16, becoming the youngest player to play for Vasco da Gama's professional team in the 21st century. He came on as a substitute in the second half of the 1–1 draw against Audax in the Campeonato Carioca. In the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, he scored his first goal for the professional team in a 2–1 defeat against Internacional at Estádio Beira-Rio. In 2025, Rayan gained more playing time in the starting lineup with the arrival of coach Fernando Diniz. He helped Vasco reach the final of the Copa do Brasil, scoring one goal and initiating the play that led to the other goal in the semi-finals against rivals Fluminense. Rayan finished the season receiving the Best Newcomer Award for the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and was named to the Team of the Year in the 2025 Copa do Brasil. On 12 December 2025, Rayan signed a new contract with Vasco da Gama until December 2028.
Bournemouth
On 27 January 2026, Rayan signed for Premier League club Bournemouth until June 2031. The transfer was reported to be worth £24.7 million, including £5.6 million in potential add-ons. He made his debut as a…
- National team
- Brazil
- Club
- CR Vasco da Gama
Personal
Rayan's father, Valkmar, also played for Vasco da Gama, representing the club as a defender between 1995 and 2001.
Clubs
Played together with
Abel BragaCR Vasco da Gama · 1976–1979- Abubakar Bello-OsagieCR Vasco da Gama · 2008–2008
- Acácio Cordeiro BarretoCR Vasco da Gama · 1982–1991
- Adaílson Pereira CoelhoCR Vasco da Gama · 2007–2008
Ademir de MenezesCR Vasco da Gama · 1942–1945- Ademir de MenezesCR Vasco da Gama · 1948–1956
Adriano Ferreira MartinsCR Vasco da Gama · 2009–2009- Adriano Félix TeixeiraCR Vasco da Gama · 2005–2005
Adán VergaraCR Vasco da Gama · 2005–2005
Adésio Alves MachadoCR Vasco da Gama · 1952–1953- AdílioCR Vasco da Gama · 1987–1987
Agenor MunizCR Vasco da Gama · 1967–1971
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha, known simply as Rayan, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right winger or forward for Premier League club Bournemouth and the Brazil national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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