There are moments in a young footballer's career that define his trajectory. Gabriel Moscardo, the Brazilian midfielder on loan from Paris Saint-Germain to RCD Espanyol, has just revealed one of those crucial instants: Barcelona was almost his gateway to Europe, but PSG got there first. A confession that surprises, especially when the talented 19-year-old midfielder (born 28 September 2005 in Taubaté) has now chosen the blue and white instead of the blue and garnet.

The Barcelona contact that almost was

In statements collected by mundodeportivo.com, Moscardo acknowledged without hesitation: "Before going to PSG and before playing professionally in Corinthians' first team, we had contact from Barcelona". An anecdote that reveals just how much the future promised other paths for this midfielder.

However, the story took an unexpected turn. When he was in the final stages of the season with Corinthians, his representative arrived with weighty news: PSG was interested. Luis Campos, the well-known Paris sporting director, travelled to Brazil to see him in action. After two "incredible" matches, according to the player himself, the signing came through. His incorporation to the Parisians was finalised on 27 December 2023, though there were some administrative hurdles along the way.

A clear mission in Cornellà

Now, on loan to Espanyol to accumulate minutes in a more accessible league, Moscardo arrives with well-defined objectives. "Reaching the Brazilian national team and playing the next World Cup" is his greatest ambition, a goal that reflects unusual maturity for footballers his age.

The young midfielder has publicly praised Espanyol's coaching staff. "The manager demands a lot, but he gives me confidence," he explained during his interview at the Hotel Torremirona Golf & Spa in Navata. "It's rare in Europe for managers to speak to you personally almost every day. He does, asks how I am and wants to help me."

Positional profile and dressing room references

Moscardo defines himself as a classic defensive pivot — the '6' in European terminology — though in recent seasons he has explored more advanced positions like '8' seeking greater offensive participation. At Cornellà, according to his words, the coaching staff expect him to play "with calm and personality", just as he did at SC Braga, his previous loan.

In the dressing room he has already impressed with his adaptability. He has connected especially with Hinojo, his dressing room teammate, and identifies Edu Expósito as a quality reference. "He sees things other players don't see," he says of the Espanyol midfielder.

The Paris experience, the lesson of a career

His time in Paris, though brief, allowed him to train alongside world-class players. During the Club World Cup in America he shared training sessions with Dembélé, Vitinha, Marquinhos, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes. "Every day I was more surprised by the quality," Moscardo recalls. "I felt it was a very calm group that respected each other a lot."

His signing scout in Paris, Luis Enrique, also won his unconditional admiration. "He did things others don't see, thinks outside the box and wants a good relationship with all players also off the field," he describes with genuine respect.

Thus, Espanyol receives a footballer forged in international demands, ambitious, and who had in his hands options that many would dream of. The question now is whether he will know how to take advantage of this loan as a springboard towards the Brazilian national team and, with it, towards the next World Cup.