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Bernabéu debut
Back in the summer of 2012, a young Fabio Henrique Taveres, or more simply known as Fabinho, joined Real Madrid Castilla on a season-long loan. The Brazilian impressed first team coach José Mourinho so much that he was handed his debut, still a teenager, after just a few months with the reserves. Fabinho came on for the last 15 minutes in the 6-2 home win against Málaga on 8 May 2013 and even set up Ángel Di María for the winner.
Fabinho pictured in training last week VALERY HACHE (AFP)
Spot-kick skills
Soon after that, he returned to Rio Ave who farmed him out again - this time to Monaco, signing a permanent deal with the club in 2015. At Monaco he is usually fielded as a defensive midfielder and yet he has already racked up seven goals this season; he is also the team's penalty taker.
In-demand
Years after Real Madrid allowed him to slip out of their fingers, Fabinho is being courted by some of Europe's top clubs. His father João told Canal+'s J+1 programme this week that his son has received a lot of tempting offers: "I've held talks with Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal... and Barça have also made enquiries about him".
Fabinho, says his father, has his heart on playing in the Premier League: "He likes Manchester United and likes the way Mourinho works, but he has a small weakness for City...".
Fabinho, un homme convoité d'après son père Joao 🇬🇧 🇪🇸 #Jplus1 pic.twitter.com/qAReDKmCZc
— J+1 (@jplusun) 12 de febrero de 2017