A month ago, Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson revealed to the Brazilian press he has only one football idol, and that’s Rogério Ceni from São Paulo.
The former player, who’s the goalkeeper with most goals scored ever, was already a legend at São Paulo when Ederson started training at the club, so the youngster could watch him everyday.
Ederson has spoken to ESPN Brasil this week, and while reporter João Castelo Branco waited to talk to him, he saw the goalkeeper telling English journalists about Ceni.
Asked what he was saying there, Ederson told ESPN: “I spent four years at São Paulo, I made part of my academy there. As soon as I joined São Paulo, I started to watch him in videos, until today I see many videos of him, he is a phenomenal goalkeeper, who plays very well with his feet, has an incredible story for São Paulo. So I would like to repeat this feat he made, to build a great story in a great club like São Paulo.”
São Paulo are now signing another goalkeeper, Jean, who’s also known for taking free-kicks. Ederson knows the new signing pretty well too, as they played together for Brazil’s youth teams, and was quizzed about who’s the best set piece taker between him and Jean.
“Me, he learned by watching me (laughs). Just kidding. He has his qualities, I have mine. I venture a little taking them, he ventures more. He trains more, too. I hope he can continue and score many goals.”
Now would Pep Guardiola ever let Ederson take a free-kick in the Premier League for Manchester City? That would definitely be fun to watch, but it seems the goalkeeper would have to practice more to have a chance.
