Lucas Beraldo, already at home in Paris

Brazilian Lucas Beraldo, who arrived this winter, has already settled in defense for PSG, who will face Marseille in Le Classique after the international break. The former player of Sao Paulo recently marked the spirits against Real Sociedad in the eighths of the Champions League, notably by its serenity in its revivals.

It was at first his big smile and his amazed eyes that caught the eye. Playing in the double-legged tie against the Basque club in the Round of 16 of the Champions League (2-0, 2-1), the 20-year-old seemed delighted to play his first minutes in the competition, surrounded by his ten teammates. These images confirm his nickname “Joker” (“Coringa”) as he inexplicably laughs a few minutes before the matches, which he explains as part of his mental preparation.

Arriving from Sao Paulo on a contract until 2028, he delivered his best performance with PSG against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian, lining up alongside Lucas Hernandez in a new central partnership. Danilo Pereira and Captain Marquinhos stayed on the bench, dealing with injuries.

More comfortable centrally

And this match confirmed another point: it is as a centre back that the left-footed player is most comfortable, having played several times at left back where he was less solid, in particular during the first league against the Basques.

“It’s obvious that every player has a preferred position, but we should not just focus on this. If the team needs him as a left back, he is open to this possibility. It’s the same as Lucas Hernandez,” Luis Enrique told a press conference recently.

Since his arrival, the Brazilian has already played 12 games, including ten as a starter (six times centrally and four times on the left), benefiting from opportunities afforded him from the long-term injuries of Milan Skriniar and Presnel Kimpembe.

“It looks like he’s coming out of the academy he’s a Parisian, it’s crazy how he has adapted. He’s great. He has a lot of personality, a lot of qualities on the pitch. He fits our idea of play,” said the coach about his number 35.

At the Anoeta Stadium, the player who won 9 duels and recovered 7 balls was also at the origin of the second goal thanks to a long pass that eliminated several players and broke the lines to find Fabian Ruiz. In addition to being valuable in his helping drive the attack, he also anticipated the (rare) attacks of Real Sociedad. “I feel really good, but it’s not just me, it’s the whole team that managed to fulfill its role very well,” speaking to PSG TV said Beraldo who says he can quickly adapt thanks to the advice given by Marquinhos to training or in matches.

This player fits perfectly into the new transformation of the club: either young, not “bling-bling” and important for the collective. And his performances in Paris have appreciated in Brazil: this son of a former Brazilian player was first called up for the next international break against England and Spain in friendly matches. In the national team as in Paris, he seems to have the qualities to be Marquinhos’ successor.