Manchester City supporters might not know whether to be amused or afraid to hear that Allan Elias’ nickname as a kid was 'Mini Balotelli' – a reference to the bleached-blonde mohawk haircut that had in fact been inspired by childhood hero Neymar. They should not be concerned. Allan's £34m move from Palmeiras to the Premier League looks a smart signing by City, a talented and versatile player ready to contribute.
With Allan, it is more work ethic than wonderkid as wingers go. And his story is inspiring. Allan's beginnings are not just humble but tragic.
The death of his old Figueirense teammate Vitor Isaias in a fire at Flamengo's academy accommodation in 2019 that killed 10 people had a profound effect. His family moved to Sao Paulo to be near him. During the pandemic, Allan's sister Leticia died due to Covid-19.
The 'L' gesture made with his hands after scoring is in her honour. There is the tattoo of best friend Gustavo Paco, who died in a motorcycle accident the day after the pair had played on the beach. It is a life blighted by misfortune but also its own little miracle.
This football success was not supposed to happen for Allan. He felt close to leaving Palmeiras for very different reasons as recently as late 2024, having seen so many others promoted ahead of him. He cried with his parents before his final U20 game, thinking it was all over.
Approaching 21 and seemingly overlooked by his own club, coach Abel Ferreira then pulled him aside in training to let him know that he would be getting a new contract. Allan emerged as a key player for Palmeiras over the past 18 months, no teenage prodigy but an underrated gem. "Allan is a different player," his former coach Lucas Andrade tells Sky Sports.
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