Wonderkid

Keith Ferguson is a scout for a middling Italian soccer club. He and his boss are in jeopardy of losing their jobs when Keith discovers Remigio, a once-promising Brazilian player who mysteriously refuses to play for his Russian League club. Watching Remigio in practice, Keith is astounded by his abilities. Remigio strikes a deal with Keith: Remigio will transfer to Keith's club and play if Keith locates and retrieves Remigio's lost younger brother.

With help from his boss, a Caltech analytics expert, a Classics professor turned translator, and Keith's new girlfriend, Keith uncovers a criminal syndicate taking vulnerable boys from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and raising them to become professional soccer players. Keith travels from Sonoma to the Amazon jungle, Corsica and Rome in an attempt to keep his promise to Remigio and outmaneuver those intent on harming them both.