Many people may think that players like Matheus Cunha must be trained in a “oven” very formidable. However, the truth is exactly the opposite …
It was Sunday morning in Recife, the largest city in northeastern Brazil, and the Paramirim neighborhood was still sleepy.
The capital is blocked for the cycling activity without a shadow. The street vendors have not started to sell. A few couples walked around Jaqueira, but only with a very slow pace. There is no hurry, there is no feeling that something is about to happen.
Except for a small place. Outside Santa Luiza Primary School, behind the blue iron gate, a noise and laughter. The boys wearing blue uniforms gathered under the shade and joking. The cars ran into the school yard. Someone brought a TV down from the trunk of the car. A small dog, a fluffy white hair named Joca, ran around.
In the center of all is a man with a bright smile, listening to the phone while smashing his hand with the children.
His name is Barao Xavier. The Futsal yard next to the school playground is the place where his whole life is: CT Barao, Independent Football Academy that Xavier founded 16 years ago. Saying that this is a “local success story” is underestimating, because many players who have started here have become professional, including the Portuguese midfielder Otavio and Nino, the winner of the Olympic gold medal with Brazil U23.
But Gu
