Oh, why didn't Liverpool act when Luis Suarez told them about this great, little prospect?
Kevin Mendez, the star of last year's U17 World Cup, was recommended by Suarez to Reds manager Brendan Rodgers before the UAE tournament. The story goes Suarez saw Mendez as his eventual successor at Anfield.
But Rodgers sat on his hands and in January both Barcelona and Inter Milan came forward with offers for the teen. Penarol rejected both approaches and were able to hold onto their little gem through the summer market.
However, after his superb campaign for Uruguay in the UAE, Mendez is now on the radars of Europe's richest clubs. And with his idol, Suarez, now well settled at the Nou Camp, Spain is emerging as the most likely destination for the Penarol superkid.
"It would be a great dream to wear the shirt of Barça," declared Mendez upon hearing of Barca's interest.
"For any guy in the world, it would be very nice. I would love it and it would be an honor for me."
Mendez confesses he's a Barca fan and admits he models much of his game on the club's icons.
"I'm a follower of Barcelona and I think that everyone is a fan of Barcelona for all they've achieved and the style of play they've created. It's nice to sit and watch a game of Barcelona. For someone who likes football it is great to watch Barcelona.
"Messi is two levels above others and is the best in the world. He is a player that does everything well. He's a phenomenal player."
But Mendez's enthusiasm for Barca hasn't put off European rivals, including Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus.
Like Juve, Chelsea also enjoy a good relationship with Uruguayan football courtesy of long-time scout Jorge Alvial and have been monitoring Mendez's progress over the last 18 months.
Encouraging for Barca's rivals is their looming transfer ban. An appeal is currently being heard and a ruling due this month. All signs are, however, is Barca will be forced to sit out the two transfer windows of 2015 - so offering an opportunity for rivals to snap up Mendez with Catalan hands tied.
Mendez, with his energy and aggression on the ball, has been likened to Juve star Carlos Tevez. He can play as a second striker, in the No10 role, but European scouts see his future as an out-and-out forward.
"I am a technical player, I like to face the goal, I like the one against one, I have good dribbling skills. Yes, I've heard about the comparison with Tevez," he smiled.
"I've been called by some the 'new Tevez'. Supposedly the comparison comes from our pace, but it is very difficult to establish similarities.
"We are all different.
"But if they say I have some Tevez in me, then that's brilliant!"
Should Arsenal step in for him, Mendez will find himself united with one of his heroes.
"My idol is Andres Iniesta and I like Mesut Özil. Iniesta and Özil are a reference," he reveals.
But if he seems comfortable discussing his future, Mendez, in his own words, concedes the intensity of the media spotlight is weighing on him.
"I have seen the reports and noticed things on social media," he says, "but no-one has told me anything official. No-one has handed me a contract and told me 'sign and go and train with this club'. Until that happens, it's just interest, scouts. There's nothing formal."
Mendez admits the pressure doesn't just come from the media. Penarol fans are also anxious. Mendez has been with the club since five years of age and official supporters groups have expressed their objection to the striker's sale to Europe. They want the chance to enjoy Mendez for at least a season before his farewell.
"It's hard," says Mendez, "as every player wants to make the jump to Europe. If such a deal goes through, I probably would accept it, because I see my future, my jump, my progress.
"On the other hand I'd have a sad feeling. I'm a fan of the club and I want play in the attack of Penarol. Today, I having nothing particular to decide, but it is very difficult knowing what's ahead."
