Murillo has been hit at Nottingham Forest since his arrival in 2023, with Joe Worrall noticing straight away that the Brazilian was an elite talent.
Murillo Joined Forest from Corinthians in the 2023 summer transfer window, at a time when Steve Cooper was looking to build upon the previous season’s Premier League relegation scrap.
Despite it being his first experience of English football, Murillo immediately impressed Cooper on his Forest debut. Pundits were also in awe of the Brazilian, with Jamie Redknapp labelling Murillo a bargain.
His debut season was clearly a success but this campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo has seen Murillo reach even greater heights.
Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic were compared to Arsenal’s defence earlier in the season as Forest have kept the most clean sheets in the league, bringing the spotlight further don’t onto Murillo who has risen to the attention.
His excellent form led to Murillo signing a new Forest contract as Reds fans look forward to a future with their Brazilian gem but a recent report has brought attention back to those initial days at the club.
Joe Worrall was in awe of Murillo’s ability when he first joined Nottingham Forest
At just six feet tall, Murillo carries a shorter stature than his centre-back partner, Milenkovic which has meant that the 22-year-old has had to rely on his technical ability at times.
According to Worrall in an interview with The Guardian, this technical ability was on show immediately when Murillo arrived at the Forest training ground.
Worrall said: “If you watched him in training you’d think he’s a No 10, you’d go: ‘No way is he a centre-back,’ because obviously he’s a stocky lad. He weighs more than me; he’s probably like 15st.
“He’s a big lad but he’s not the tallest and he’s just so silky with his feet. He’s just a really, really good football player – left-footed, which obviously helps him a lot because it’s easier on the eye and there’s less of them.”
Reflecting on Murillo’s opening months at Forest, Worrall continued: “He wasn’t in the team a lot when I was there. Cooper was quite reluctant to play him – I don’t know why because he’s a super talent.
“It was me, Scott McKenna, a few not older players but lads who’ve been and played the game sort of thing, and Murillo’s come for £10m from Brazil and lots of flicking, training and a Cruyff turn and stuff – very much how he is now.”
Looking ahead, Murillo has garnered interest from Liverpool amongst other clubs and Worrall can see just why the game’s top clubs are circling.
What Joe Worrall thinks Murillo is worth to Nottingham Forest
Even Real Madrid have scouted Murillo to get a closer look at the unique, well-rounded talents that Worrall got to witness up close.
He said: “He’s quick, strong, can head it, reads danger really well. I think that’s something that you watch for with players who are good with the ball who play centre-back.
“They dribble with it and they pass it and whatever, but can they defend? He can read danger. He’s in the right place at the right time. It’s no fluke – he just knows, it’s something that he’s checking.”
Commenting on how much he believes Forest should be demanding for Murillo, Worrall didn’t mince his words, adding: “He’s worth well north of £50m in my eyes. It’ll be a travesty if Forest let him go for a penny less.”
It looks as though Forest will demand a world-record fee for Murillo should the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool push forward with their interest in the defender, with an £80m fee pocketing Evangelos Marinakis a profit of over £50m.
However, it’s not about the profit when it comes to a talent such as Murillo and if Forest are to qualify for the Champions League this season, quality players such as Murillo will need to be retained.
‘No way’… What Joe Worrall couldn’t believe about Murillo when he first joined Nottingham Forest
