Indian winger Romeo Fernandes made his debut in Brazilian football yesterday for Atlético Paranaense, as they thrashed Nacional (PR) 5-0 in their Paraná state championship game.
The 22-year-old, on loan from India’s Dempo Sports Club was introduced as a substitute after 66 minutes and received a raucous reception from the home supporters.
“It was amazing to hear fans chant my name when I was warming up. Even young kids were cheering me with chants of Romeo, Romeo. It all seemed like a dream to be making my debut in Brazil,” Romeo told the Times of India.
“I think I did reasonably well. Since I was playing my first competitive match for a club as big as Atletico Paranaense, and that too in Brazil, I was really excited.
“The football here is on an entirely different level. The intensity is so much more than what we are used to in India,”
