At just 17, Kauã Prates is starting to feel what it’s like to have the world watching his every move. The Cruzeiro left-back, who started in the win over Fortaleza, took the field at Mineirão under the watchful eyes of German scouts. Borussia Dortmund sent a representative to observe him closely, and the news didn’t surprise anyone who’s followed the kid since his youth academy days. At Cruzeiro, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before European interest arrived. And it came even before he reached adulthood.
According to a report from Central da Toca, Dortmund had been monitoring Kauã for a few weeks, just waiting for a concrete chance to see him start a match. With Kaiki suspended, the ideal scenario appeared, and the scouts crossed the Atlantic to watch the youngster in action. The first impression? Very positive.
The beginning of a promising story
Kauã Prates has worn Cruzeiro’s shirt since 2019. He joined as a kid and, as soon as he turned 16, signed his first professional contract, valid for three years, the maximum allowed for players under 18. The deal runs until September 2027, and Cruzeiro included a €60 million release clause for foreign clubs. The amount is more about protection than a real expectation of a sale, but it shows how much the club from Minas Gerais understands what it has in its hands.
His time with Brazil’s youth national teams, especially winning the U-17 South American Championship , even playing as a center-back, reinforced that belief.
The German model for talent
Borussia Dortmund has made a habit of polishing young players. It’s the club that bet on Bellingham when he was still a prospect at Birmingham, turned Haaland into a superstar, and gave opportunities to names like Sancho and Pulisic. And that’s exactly what Kauã represents: a future ready to be molded.
Dortmund’s interest, therefore, makes perfect sense. Modern full-backs, capable of attacking and defending with balance, are rare in today’s market. And when they do appear, they’re expensive. Cruzeiro knows that and protected itself with a long contract and a high buyout clause. But recent history shows that when a player wants to go and the project makes sense, money becomes just a detail.
In Kauã’s case, the question isn’t if Borussia will make an offer, but when. Most likely, it’ll happen before he turns 18 in August next year. Until then, Cruzeiro will try to manage the delicate balance between giving the kid exposure and shielding him from too much pressure.