Pre-match rituals are a captivating part of football, where players employ ways to psych themselves up before a match. These rituals can range from the quirky to the deeply personal, serving as a means to prepare athletes, mentally, for the challenges ahead. Beyond mere superstition, they are the psychological bridge that links these players to the beautiful game they excel in.
Andreas Pereira, the Brazilian footballer, is renowned for his unusual pre-match ritual that has raised eyebrows among fans. Prior to crucial games, he meticulously rubs another player’s shorts on his legs, believing it brings him an extraordinary sense of confidence and luck.
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How Kaká helped Pereira form this football ritual
Pereira’s football journey began at Manchester United’s prestigious youth ranks, but his inability to secure a permanent first-team position led him to make a significant move to Fulham in a notable £10 million transfer deal just last year. However, the formative years he spent at Manchester United provided him with the golden opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the sport’s most illustrious names, particularly a chance childhood meeting with the Brazilian icon, Kaka, which left an indelible mark on the young midfielder.
Pereira, during his time at Manchester United, received a special call from the legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who requested his assistance as a ball boy for a crucial Champions League encounter against Kaka’s formidable Real Madrid side. After the match, Pereira approached Kaka, seeking his shirt as a memento, but Kaka had already changed. In a moment of determination and desire, he settled for Kaka’s shorts, graciously handed to him by the legendary player. These shorts have since been safeguarded with great care, and Pereira has an extraordinary tradition of rubbing them on his legs as part of his pre-match ritual before pivotal games.
Just recently, during a gathering at Willian’s house, Pereira shared his deep admiration for Kaka. Willian, his club teammate, made an astonishing offer to call Kaka on the spot. At first, Pereira thought it was a jest, but when he heard Kaka’s voice on the other end of the call, he was overwhelmed with emotion and tears welled up. The experience of speaking to his idol, Kaka, remains an incredible moment in his life, leaving everyone in the room utterly astonished.
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