"I believed when I came here, it would help me change the life of my family and many other people," he said.
For the past 18 months, he has been playing for the Under-20 squad of Sao Paulo, one of South America's top clubs.
He and a small number of other Africans are today tearing across pitches in Brazil, known as the biggest producer and exporter of footballers in the world, from Pele to Neymar.
For at least one, though, the transformative opportunity has also been tinged by racism.
In Brazil, an incubator for star players bought up by Europe's moneyed elite clubs, the benefit in return is new blood for its lower divisions, with players who are fiercely committed.
The Africans also are paid less than footballers from neighboring Argentina and Uruguay.
And European sides are also increasingly showcasing talented African players, burnishing their appeal and helping demolish long-standing barriers in Brazilian clubs against foreign talent.
"It's about intensity," said Ricardo Manfrim Goncalves, of the Quality agency, which represents players.
"They are going to commit more than what even a Brazilian player will."
この記事は The Straits Times の November 09, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Straits Times の November 09, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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