From Rio de Janeiro’s academy pitches, a small but growing Mexican connection is taking shape in Brazilian football. Flamengo and Fluminense have brought in young players either born in Mexico or eligible through family ties, offering a different route south for prospects seeking a senior career.
Key takeaways
- Former América forward Diego Reyes Costilla has joined Flamengo on loan until the end of 2026.
- Fluminense’s Matheus Reis, born in 2007, is eligible for Mexico and is under contract in Rio until 2030.
- United States-born midfielder Stiven Jiménez is spending 2026 on loan with Fluminense’s Under-20 side.
- Monterrey-born centre-back Badir Flores has also entered Fluminense’s youth system.
- These moves mark an unusual expansion of Mexican-linked talent into Brazil’s leading club academies.
Flamengo give Reyes a Rio opportunity
Diego Reyes Costilla arrives at Flamengo after progressing through América’s youth ranks, where he represented the club at Under-16, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level. The forward, who comes from Toluca, moved to Rio on a loan agreement covering the remainder of 2026.
Reyes scored 56 times across América’s different development teams and has also featured for Mexico at Under-16 and Under-18 level. In 2026, he has played eight matches for 365 minutes, without yet recording either a goal or an assist.
Fluminense build a Mexican-linked youth group
Across the city, Fluminense have assembled several players with connections to Mexico. Forward Matheus Reis holds Mexican nationality because his father, Elías Luiz do Reis, was playing for Pumas Morelos at the time of his birth. The Mexican-Brazilian, born in 2007, has already been involved with Mexico’s Under-18 and Under-20 national-team groups.
Reis is tied to Fluminense through 2030. His 2026 record stands at four appearances and 174 minutes, with an average statistical rating of 6.68.
Stiven Jiménez adds another international background to the Fluminense setup. The 19-year-old midfielder was born in the United States to a Mexican father and Salvadoran mother, and has joined the club’s Under-20 squad on loan until December 2026.
Before departing MLS, Jiménez made six appearances, played 306 minutes and produced one goal plus one assist. Both attacking contributions came in the Concacaf Champions Cup, a competition in which he posted a 7.75 rating.
Fluminense’s intake also reaches younger age groups through Badir Flores. The left-footed central defender was born in Monterrey in 2012, stands 1.82 metres tall and previously developed with River in MLS Next. He has also taken part in Mexican Football Federation scouting trials before entering the academy in Rio.
