From Little Onion to National Icon: Everton’s Ascent from Maracanaú to Maracana

Every morning, millions of boys across Brazil tie their boots with dreams stitched into the laces. For many, football offers more than sport—it is a lifeline, a rare path to escape poverty, to uplift entire families. But of the multitude who dare to dream, only a precious few make it past the gates of obscurity. One of them is Everton Soares.

Today, he is lighting up the Copa América with Brazil. But in 2012, Everton was just a teenage boy from the dusty outskirts of Maracanaú, facing a choice that would define his life: a 3,800km move to the other end of the country to join Grêmio. It wasn’t the distance that rattled him—it was the prospect of leaving his girlfriend behind. Love, it seemed, tugged more fiercely at his heart than ambition.

It took a voice of experience to pull him back toward his future. Jorge Veras, then coach of the Fortaleza U17 team and a former idol at Grêmio, had recommended Everton to the southern club. But Everton hesitated. “He liked her very much,” Veras remembers. “He thought that if he went, he would lose her. He didn’t care much about his career.”

Veras framed the crossroads bluntly: “I told him the girl could wait—but Grêmio would not. Another boy would go, and that boy would be rich while he remained poor.” He even added a splash of humour: “If she won’t wait, you’ll find yourself a German or Italian girl.” Everton listened. And he left.

That decision, painful and brave, launched a transformation. Six years on, Everton—nicknamed Cebolinha (“Little Onion”) for his resemblance to a popular cartoon character—is no longer the quiet teen on a bike. He is a Libertadores champion, a national team starter, and Brazil’s rising star. His flair has drawn thunderous applause at the Copa América, particularly after his stunning goal in Brazil’s 5-0 demolition of Peru, which earned him “Man of the Match” honors and the loudest cheer in the stadium.

As Europe’s elite clubs circle—Manchester City, United, Bayern Munich, and Milan—there’s a growing sense that the boy from Brazil’s northeast is about to take another giant leap.

But Everton’s story isn’t merely about goals and glory. It’s about distance—literal and emotional—and the quiet resilience of a boy who often chose silence over swagger. Coaches recall a player who spoke with his feet, not his voice. “We didn’t see him joke or play much with the others,” Veras says. “He was very quiet. His business was to work.” Another coach, José Carlos Leite, adds: “He doesn’t talk. He sits in his place and doesn’t utter a word.”

This stoicism had deep roots. Growing up in a humble home in Maracanaú, Everton often cycled 6km each way just to train with local side Maracanã. “He was of few words, but always skilful,” recalls coach Márcio Caetano.

That talent eventually carried him to Fortaleza's U15s. But even then, opportunity didn't come easy. He was benched during a key tournament until his father intervened. Given one chance to prove himself, Everton scored three goals in 30 minutes. “It was a positive surprise,” says Veras.

His rise accelerated from there. At 16, he dazzled scouts during friendlies, scoring four goals across two matches against Ceará. “We asked the directors to sign him immediately,” Veras says. “There were many eyes on him.”

Among those watching were scouts from Grêmio. After Everton impressed against them in an Under-16 competition, they made their move. What stood out wasn’t just his speed or dribbling, but his attitude. “He could decide games,” says Francesco Barletta of Grêmio’s academy. “He was technically good, aggressive, and fearless.”

Yet, even after conquering the emotional barrier of leaving home, Everton faced another hardship: the cold. Porto Alegre’s winters were bitter, far from the tropical sun of Ceará. “He thought about giving up,” says coach André Jardine. “But we supported him.”

Everton made his senior debut in 2014 at just 18. From a benchwarmer, he blossomed into a critical figure at Grêmio, thanks in part to manager Renato Gaúcho, who refined his raw skills into a polished threat. In 2019, he netted nine goals in 19 games, including decisive strikes in the Copa Libertadores.

At the Copa América, Everton has continued to shine. With goals against Bolivia and Peru, he’s emerged as Brazil’s wildcard weapon—direct, daring, and joyful in style. “Everton is ready to play in Europe,” said veteran teammate Filipe Luís after his latest goal.

Yet before any move abroad, there’s one more challenge: the Copa América final at Rio’s iconic Maracanã. Brazil will face Peru once again. And leading the line will be Cebolinha—the quiet boy from Maracanaú, who used to pedal 6km for a shot at the game, now poised to carry the hopes of 200 million.

In every way, Everton’s journey has been a story of departures—leaving behind a girlfriend, a hometown, a climate, even anonymity. But each time he left something, he moved closer to becoming the player—and the person—he was meant to be.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar