Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista considered quitting football altogether before his big break in Europe.
The 24 year old moved to Villarreal in 2013 but before this he played for Vitória in Brazil. He describes how he struggled financially during that period.
“I had no money, even for simple things like going out with my friends. There were times I thought about quitting because I was always alone, but I repeated to myself many times, ‘This is my dream, I have to try harder. With my feet on the ground I will succeed in my career’.”
Paulista made an £11 million move to Arsenal in January and has settled well in England.
“I never imagined playing in England, but when we had pre-season games here I started to look at English football more closely and I wanted to join a Premier League team.”
