In the same stadium where he began his story, young striker Gabigol will start the search for a dream of millions of Brazilians.
At the Estádio Mané Garrincha, where Gabigol made his debut as a professional footballer in 2013, Brazil will start their quest for an unprecedented Olympic Gold medal, against South Africa on Thursday. Aged 16, still thin and without the beard covering his face today, Gabigol came on for Henrique Dourado in the second-half of the Brasileirão fixture against Flamengo to make his debut for Santos, in the same game which marked the farewell of his idol Neymar.
Gabigol said: “That day never came out of my head. Debut for Santos aged 16, and for all that involved, the farewell of Neymar, who is an idol for me. I was a little nervous, normal, right? [Laughs] That"s where it all started and I"m sure it was one of the happiest days of my life. Since then much has changed, I"m more mature, I grew as a player and person. But I know there"s a lot ahead. I"m 19 and I feel the same desire to learn, listen, and score goals."
He added: “It will be a pleasure to return to the stadium, relive the whole story. Surely it will be a movie in my head. It will be our debut, we have to start well. It is a tournament that everyone wants to win an unprecedented gold. It"s one more day to be marked in my life."
In the same stadium where he began his story, young striker Gabigol will start the search for a dream of millions of Brazilians.
At the Estádio Mané Garrincha, where Gabigol made his debut as a professional footballer in 2013, Brazil will start their quest for an unprecedented Olympic Gold medal, against South Africa on Thursday. Aged 16, still thin and without the beard covering his face today, Gabigol came on for Henrique Dourado in the second-half of the Brasileirão fixture against Flamengo to make his debut for Santos, in the same game which marked the farewell of his idol Neymar.
Gabigol said: “That day never came out of my head. Debut for Santos aged 16, and for all that involved, the farewell of Neymar, who is an idol for me. I was a little nervous, normal, right? [Laughs] That"s where it all started and I"m sure it was one of the happiest days of my life. Since then much has changed, I"m more mature, I grew as a player and person. But I know there"s a lot ahead. I"m 19 and I feel the same desire to learn, listen, and score goals."
He added: “It will be a pleasure to return to the stadium, relive the whole story. Surely it will be a movie in my head. It will be our debut, we have to start well. It is a tournament that everyone wants to win an unprecedented gold. It"s one more day to be marked in my life."
