The scene was set during the 2022 Champions League semi-final at the Santiago Bernabéu, where over 60,000 fans witnessed Manchester City take a 1-0 lead. As I sat on the Real Madrid bench, Carlo Ancelotti summoned me to enter the match, urging me to play aggressively and take charge.
When I stepped onto the pitch in the 68th minute, the pressure was palpable. By the 90th minute, I had leveled the score, but we still trailed on aggregate. Almost immediately after the restart, I found the net again, forcing extra time. Ultimately, we triumphed, securing another title for the club by defeating Liverpool in the final. I recount this moment to emphasize the critical role coaches play in shaping a team’s journey and influencing a player’s career, often in ways that go unnoticed by the public eye.
My experiences under Ancelotti’s guidance have shown me that his methods are often more comprehensible to players than to outsiders. The reality of football unfolds behind closed doors, and those unfamiliar with his approach may struggle to predict his decisions. While the media and fans might expect him to follow a traditional path, he frequently opts for unexpected strategies.
However, his decisions are always meticulously thought out, reflecting a remarkable coherence that arises from both his tactical acumen and his ability to manage team dynamics effectively. As we prepare for Monday’s match against Japan, I am confident that my Brazilian teammates, especially those newly acquainted with his philosophies, will come to appreciate the Mister’s work more deeply.
Ancelotti embodies a father figure to us all. I hold him in high regard, both as a coach and as an individual. He engages with us, offering wisdom on various matters, whether on or off the field. I have heard about an upcoming series or documentary focused on Ancelotti, and I am certain it will be extraordinary. In today’s world, platforms like social media and YouTube allow fans greater insight into the inner workings of clubs and national teams, unveiling moments that football history previously kept hidden or only revealed in retrospective articles or books.
Nonetheless, many discussions occur in the private confines of locker rooms and meeting spaces. It is in these settings that the true value of mentors becomes evident: in discussions about personal life, addressing grievances, and providing steadfast guidance on the right path forward.
I vividly recall the first coach who recognized my potential, aside from my father—Eric Goes, a former footballer who continues to inspire me to push my limits. At just six years old, I played with older children in the streets of Osasco, a suburban city in São Paulo. They were significantly older and already training at a local youth academy, but I was too young to join.
One day, a coach from the academy paused to observe our street game, commonly referred to as a “pelada.” After we exhausted ourselves on that makeshift pitch, he called me over, took my photo, and registered me for a municipal tournament as part of the neighborhood team, even though I was significantly younger than the other players. That moment affirmed my father’s belief: to succeed, I needed to compete against the best.
During my time in the Santos youth program, I would watch the professional team and dream of wearing that jersey, with fans chanting my name at the Vila Belmiro stadium. It was coach Jair Ventura who paved the way for me. He promoted me to the first team in 2018, opening doors that allowed my talent to flourish. Jair is a coach who values the human aspect of the game, taking the time to understand the lives and aspirations of his players. When I confided in him about my ambition to play for Real Madrid, he believed in my determination and began providing me with more opportunities. Dozens of games later, in 2019, I received my offer, and Ventura was one of the first to know.
As the 2022 World Cup approached, Tite, Brazil’s manager at that time, consulted Ventura regarding another player, and Ventura took the opportunity to highlight my playing style and strengths. He described me as unique, emphasizing that his role was simply to kickstart my professional career. He uses the term “only” without realizing that this “only” can encompass everything. Soon after, I received my first call-up to the senior national team and remained part of Tite’s squad throughout the cycle, culminating in my selection for my inaugural World Cup in Qatar.
Recently, I encountered Luiz Felipe Scolari backstage at the Seleção Copa show on SporTV, a Brazilian channel, in New York. It became clear to me why the 2002 World Cup-winning team is often referred to as the “Scolari Family.” Felipão perceives football as a platform for authentic connections and treats players primarily as human beings, acknowledging their strengths, weaknesses, potential, capacity for growth, and unpredictable nature.
Throughout my journey thus far, I have been mentored by numerous elite coaches, as well as by individuals I deeply respect, including Zinedine Zidane, Fernando Diniz, Xabi Alonso, and Álvaro Arbeloa. I am presently focused on my recovery, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to work under José Mourinho at Real Madrid, a manager renowned for his ability to lead teams back to trophy glory. In a highly competitive arena like football, the prospect of collaborating with someone nicknamed “The Special One” is incredibly exciting.
- Brazil
- Carlo Ancelotti
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
- Football tactics
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