Wonderkid Factory | Part 13 | Remarkable Rise of Retrô FC: Non-Existence to South American Champions in 20 Years

Just two decades ago, Retrô Futebol Clube Brasil didn’t even exist. But now, in December 2036, 20 years on from its foundation, the club was celebrating not only winning its second Brazilian title but also becoming Champions of South America for the first time.

The remarkable rise of the tiny club from in Camaragibe, a small city of 160,000 people in the Pernambuco state in northeast Brazil, was largely thanks to the arrival of manager Robinho Lazaró in 2025. He took charge of a club not fancied to succeed in Série C and led it to an immediate promotion, before achieving the unthinkable by gaining promotion to Série A after just two seasons in the second tier. Lazaró’s first piece of silverware was the Pernambuco State title in 2026, a tournament they went on to win five times in a row between 2032 and 2036. A relegation swiftly followed but, after two seasons back in Série B, they returned to the top tier with an army of exciting youngsters, who went on to lift the club’s maiden Brazilian title in 2033. Retrô also reached a first Copa Libertadores final in 2033 and, three years later, went on to win a second title and reach a second final, this time defeating the mighty River Plate on penalties to become Champions of South America.

The club has quickly become the second side of most Brazilians, who massively respect Lazaró’s heavy lean on young talent and homegrown players. But who are the heroes of Retrô in 2036?

GK – Danilo Rodrigues: Goalkeeper Rodrigues came through the youth academy in the second season, stepping up to the first team in 2030. He’s racked up over 20 clean sheets in the last five domestic seasons, breaking his own club record for the last four campaigns. Only 26, he’s already racked up 294 league games for the club.

RB – Carlos Eduardo: Eduardo came through the academy in 2030 and, while he didn’t have outstanding potential, a loan at affiliate club Defensor Sporting saw him flourish. Outstanding physicals boost his game, and he returned to rack up 29 goal contributions from full back in his first season in the first team, and impressed again this time around with 11 assists.

CB – Nicolás Pino: Argentina international Pino signed for £850k from Chacarita in 2032. He quickly became the rock at the heart of the Retrô defence, especially impressing in the last two seasons with ratings over 7.00. Still just 23, he’s already played over 200 league games and won 6 caps for his country.

CB – Roberto Cuero: Colombia international Cuero signed for the club for £450k from Envigado way back in 2029. He quickly established himself as a key player, playing over 40 league games every season. Now 26, he’s racked up 409 appearances in all competitions and won 8 caps for Colombia.

LB – Promise Godwill: Nigerian Godwill was the first player identified when Lazaró expanded his scouting reach to a global level. He signed from Remo Stars in 2035 and, after a successful loan in Série B, stepped up to the first team this season to retrain as a left back. Godwill impressed in that new position, delivering 12 goal contributions in his maiden campaign, and has 4 goals in 18 caps for Nigeria.

DM – André: The absolute stalwart at the heart of midfield, André is the beating heart of Retrô FC. The 6ft 4in midfielder was at risk of being dropped at the start of the season, but a few big sales saw him reinvigorated, and he returned to his scintillating best, including a 7.32 rating in 12 Libertadores games. André came through the academy in the very first intake in 2025, stepped straight into the first team and, now 27, he’s gone on to make a club record 455 league appearances and 541 in all competitions.

RM – Rafinha: The winger graduated from the academy in 2032 and a decent Série C loan spell saw him promoted to the first team in 2035. But he benefited from the big-money departure of Howar Menjura, delivering 19 goal contributions in his first season as a starter. He has decent technique, dribbling skills and pace, with plenty of room for improvement.

LM – Ricardo Cavalcante: The second of two players with the same name, hence nicknaming him with his surname, Cavalcante emerged as the club’s primary creative force. He came through the academy in 2028 and didn’t initially have bags of potential, especially after a poor loan in Série C. But he stepped up in 2032, delivering 18 assists in Série A and he’s continued to excel, winning the league’s Player of the Year twice. He’s gone on to score 69 goals with 83 assists in 342 games for the club.

AM – Alex: Alex came through the academy with much excitement at a 2.5-star, 6ft 4in striker. He’s not quite become the superstar he promised to be but, still only 20, he’s scored 36 goals in the last two league campaigns while adapting to a deeper role. And there’s still plenty of potential for Alex to realise as he learns his new position.

AM – Ricardo: Midfielder Ricardo came through the academy in 2028 as a winger, but has quickly evolved into the side’s primary creative force. He struggled a little in his first few seasons, but had a breakthrough campaign in 2034, with 15 goals and 11 assists, and exploded this season with 21 goals and 28 assists in all competitions. His progression has been outstanding over the last two seasons, to the extent that he became the first Retrô player to represent Brazil in November 2036. Still only 24, Ricardo has already played 411 games in all competitions

ST – Matheus de Oliveira: Completing the homegrown attack, striker de Oliveira was forced into the first team to replace the big-money sale of Rodrigo Godinho. He struggled at first, but delivered on his potential with 48 league goals over the last two seasons. He’s a little bit injury prone but, still only 21, he has plenty of potential for improvbemebt,

Backups and Hot Prospects

GK – Christian Hormaza: Rodrigues’ understudy is Colombian Hormaza, who signed on a free in 2035 and impressed in 14 appearances last season.

CB – Wesley Martins: A star defender from the youth academy, Martins graduated in 2030 and had a standout campaign last time out. He has superb physicals and mentals, and rotates for starts with Pino and Cuero. Only 22, he’s already made 250 appearances in all competitions.

DM M(RL) AM ST – Joílson: The versatile Joílson fills in across nearly every attacking position, and generally excels in all of them. He came through the academy in 2027 and stepped up to the first team the following season, going on to rack up 57 goals and 42 assists in 423 appearances. And he’s just signed a new deal to stay at the club for two more years.

DM M(R) – Marko Grgur Zubcic: A recent arrival, Zubcic looks like having the potential to become a real superstar. He had a solid start, while retraining as a DM to support André, but should get plenty of gametime to boost his progression.

AM(C) – Aymen Smaoui: Another star in the making, rapid Tunisian Smaoui signed for just £450k at the start of last season. He took a little while to adjust, but finished the season with 18 goal contributions.

M AM(LC) – Ézio Pinto: Winger Pinto signed from Sampaio Correa in 2034, and impressed in his second season at the club. Playing backup to Cavalcante, he delivered 14 goal contributions and has plenty of potential for improvement.

ST – Adilson Castro: Another exciting prospect is Angolan striker Castro, who signed for £600k ahead of last season. He didn’t get much gametime in his first campaign, only starting 9 times and twice in the league, but did manage 5 goals and has impressed for his nation, scoring 19 goals in 22 caps. And he will be the primary backup to de Oliveira next season.