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It was the moment when Tete, 20, from Shakhtar Donetsk, announced herself to the world.
An impressive goal, an assist and a devastating individual display helped the Ukrainians tear Real Madrid apart in a sensational performance in the first half of the Champions League in October, when they took a 3-0 lead.
They finally held on to a memorable 3-2 victory and now, ahead of a crucial second leg at home in Group B on Tuesday, the Brazilian attacking midfielder reflects on what could be a turning point in his career.
“The game at Real Madrid was definitely the best and most important of my career so far,” Tete told BBC Sport in an exclusive interview.
“It was a great honor and a pleasure to play against legends like Marcelo and Casemiro, a dream come true. I wanted to show my skills and prove my worth, so I dribbled against Marcelo one by one. I was happy to have helped the team to get a result so big and important. “
Tete’s performance in Madrid highlighted his potential to join the roster of Brazilian stars who developed at Shakhtar, which includes Manchester City’s Fernandinho, Arsenal’s Willian and Juventus’ Douglas Costa, who is on loan at Bayern Munich. .
Famous for its excellent network of scouts in Brazil, the Shakhtar team has relied on Brazilian players for almost two decades. There are 13 Brazilians on the current roster, but Tete’s story is special.
Signed for 15 million euros (£ 13.5 million) from the Gremio academy in early 2019 without making a single appearance with the senior team, he enjoyed an impressive first full season at Shakhtar, including a display of man from the match at 1-1. drew at Manchester City a year ago.
“It wasn’t really difficult to make the decision to move, because I knew the environment would suit me. I spoke with Douglas Costa, who grew up in the Guild like me, and he told me that there are a lot of Brazilians at Shakhtar,” he says.
“It was easy to settle. Coach Luis Castro is Portuguese, and even the nutritionist is from Portugal. Everybody speaks Portuguese here, and the club does everything possible to make us feel at home.”
He hopes to follow in the footsteps of Douglas Costa, while Ronaldinho, another Gremio graduate, is an idol. But Tete finds a special inspiration by seeing the best Brazilian soccer player of all.
“I am very fond of Pele,” he says. “It was amazing, and I have a habit of watching his videos on my mobile phone in the locker room before each game. It would be a dream to meet him, or at least talk to him. Maybe if he beat Real Madrid one more time”, that it would be easier to do. “
Tete, a confessed Barcelona fan, added: “My biggest dream is to play for Barcelona. Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Romario and Ronaldo represented Barça, and I would love to be added to that list. Obviously, starring against Madrid would not do my cause harm. absolutely.
“I also follow Liverpool and Manchester United, and I like each of them equally, although they are rivals. They are the biggest traditional clubs in England. I am neutral when they face each other, it’s good to support the winners. It would be great. play for any of them. “
Nicknamed Furacao (Hurricane), Tete’s style is somewhat reminiscent of former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben, because he loves to slice in with his stronger left foot.
“I once had a great game for the Gremio youth team, and the journalists gave me that name. I like it because it highlights my explosive style.
“I used to play central midfield in my youth, and I was tested on the left a couple of times, but the right winger is definitely my favorite position. People tell me I play like Robben, and it would be good to try and catch up. your level “.
After two strong defeats to Borussia Monchengladbach, Shakhtar must score three points on Tuesday to keep their hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 alive.
And Tete has prepared for the match in the best possible way, scoring the last winner in Dnipro-1 on Saturday.
“I am delighted with my first league goal of the season, and now we must play against Real Madrid again,” he says. “The previous victory gives us confidence and we will do our best to score three more goals.”
