Brazil legend Bebeto is backing his son Mattheus Oliveira to follow in his father’s footsteps and pull on the Brazil shirt. 22 year old Mattheus signed for Sporting Lisbon from Estoril this week, having previously played for Flamengo.
Bebeto famously created the “cradle rocking” celebration during Brazil’s victorious 1994 World Cup campaign to mark his son’s birth. “When I made that celebration maybe it was like Mattheus was baptised by God,” Bebeto told BBC World Service.
“With that celebration, Mattheus was introduced to football,” he said. “And football was all he was ever interested in. I think his first ever word was probably ‘football’,” the World Cup winning striker joked.
“He was the only one of my sons whose birth I didn’t attend, because I was playing football. That’s why I spontaneously did that celebration.” Mattheus has represented Brazil at youth level and Bebeto is backing him to make the step up to the senior side soon enough.
“To do that in Brazil you have to have very good potential because every day new players are coming through. People are starting to see his potential. And for me, I have no doubt that he has the potential to play for the Brazilian national team.”