Is Bruno Gama the next Luis Figo?

By John F. Molinaro, CBCSports.ca

The comparisons are inevitable.

When you're a talented teenage protege who is being touted as the next great Portuguese star, comparisons to Luis Figo are bound to happen.

Step forward Bruno Gama, the latest Portuguese midfield sensation to be likened to Figo, a former FIFA World and European Player of the Year.

Gama showed why he is touted as one of the best youth players in the world by scoring twice to power Portugal to a 2-0 win over New Zealand Monday at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Portugal's Bruno Gama celebrates scoring against New Zealand. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

With equal parts style and grace, Gama ran the New Zealand defence ragged with his inventive and creative runs, much like Figo did with opponents 16 years ago when he helped Portugal's Golden Generation team win its second consecutive World Youth Championship.

Gama's first goal was pure artistry. The Portuguese midfielder calmly stepped up to the ball and confidently stroked a gorgeous free kick from 20 yards out into the corner of the net past diving Kiwi goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley.

Gama's second strike, from the penalty spot, was a special one as it was the 1,600th goal in the 30-year history of the competition.

"I love the fans in Canada," said the Portuguese captain after the New Zealand game.

"The way they supported us was just amazing today. Our goal here at these finals is to win every game, including the final, and hopefully I can score more goals like I did today on the way there."

Considering his vast array of skills, Gama should be able to live up to his promise of scoring more goals in front of Canadian crowds.

Gama provides speed and a scoring touch to a very dangerous Portugal side. With blinding pace and formidable technique, Gama's greatest asset is his versatility, as he can either play in the centre of midfield as a classic playmaker, or on the right wing where he fires precise crosses into the middle for his teammates.

Soccer comes naturally to the native of Vila Verde, who started playing with the youth team of Portuguese club Sporting Braga when he was only 10.

Still only 19 years old, Gama is a veteran of international soccer, helping Portugal win the U-17 European Championship in 2003 on home soil. Following that victory, Gama was scooped up by FC Porto, one of the top teams in Portugal's first division, and played in the club's reserve side before being lent back to Braga last season.

Now he's in Canada looking to deliver Portugal's first world youth title since the famous Portuguese Golden Generation team, led by Luis Figo, won its second straight World Youth Championship in 1991.

Back in March at the draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Toronto, Portugal senior team manager Luiz Scolari noted that the young stars on display this summer in Canada will be the same players making headlines at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"This tournament is where so many of the great players begin to make their fame," Scolari told reporters. "This is where it all begins. Some of the great players in the world got their start in this tournament. Some you will see for many years."

If his performance against New Zealand is anything to go by, we will be hearing more from Bruno Gama in the years to come.