“Having a son who plays football was always my father’s dream,” sаys Gabriel Martinelli. I came into this world when he was well into his forties, and that longing for me was stronger than ever. He would sаy things like, “When you turn six, I’m going to take you to a test,” and I believe it was the first statement I ever comprehended.

When I was six years old, I didn’t even know what a test was. Unfortunately, he never stopped saying it. As a child, I remember playing football with my dad in the little square of Guarulhos. He would teach me the proper way to grab and defend the ball, and he would constantly remind me to use my left leg strongly when kicking.

He took things very seriously, but I quickly realized that playing football was the best thing ever. I became enamored with the game. Wow, it was perfect. Picture this: a tiny child playing with his dad, who is there for him every step of the way, offering encouragement and support.