Djalminha: "Ganso is one of the most intelligent players in Brazil’s history"

Former Brazilian footballer Djalminha has placed Paulo Henrique Ganso among the most technically gifted players in the country’s history, highlighting his creativity, vision, and intelligence on the pitch.

Ganso emerged as a rising star alongside Neymar at Santos, once considered the natural heir to Brazil’s legendary playmakers.

However, a series of injuries hampered his progress, preventing him from fulfilling his early promise at the highest level. Despite this, Djalminha believes Ganso’s footballing mind and technical ability are on par with Brazil’s greatest.

"Ganso, without a doubt, is a special player. Before his injuries, he was a dynamic midfielder, not just a playmaker with limited mobility. In terms of creativity, intelligence, and vision, he is complete. He’s on the same level as Brazil’s greatest players," Djalminha said in an interview with Boppismo.

He further emphasized Ganso’s underappreciated tactical awareness, adding:

"When it comes to understanding and thinking about the game, he is among the best in Brazil’s football history."

Injuries and lost World Cup dreams

Knee injuries severely impacted Ganso’s career, stripping him of the mobility and defensive work he once contributed.

"He lost some of his dynamism because of injuries. At the start of his career, he defended, marked, and moved much more than he does today," Djalminha noted.

Despite his undeniable talent, Ganso never played in a World Cup, a fate that Djalminha himself also suffered.

"It's always the coach’s decision. But seeing a player of that caliber go his whole career without a World Cup opportunity is unfortunate. Brazil has a history of bringing young, unknown talents to shake things up, but that never happened for him," he added.

Currently, Ganso remains a key figure for Fluminense, playing alongside Thiago Silva. However, he is currently sidelined due to myocarditis, with no set date for his return to action in the Campeonato Carioca.