Ahead of tonight’s match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, ESPN Brasil managed to hold an interview with Whites’ midfielder Andreas Pereira.
During the conversation, the player spoke to journalist João Castelo-Branco about a specific idol he has… Brazilian legend Kaka.
Pereira recalled that the first time he met Kaka was long before he joined Fulham, as he was still part of Manchester United’s academy.
“It was a Champions League match between Manchester and Real Madrid and I was a ball boy. Alex Ferguson asked the U21 and U18 players if they wanted to be ball boys, because he needed the ball quicker and so on. After the game, I waited and saw Kaka. I asked for his shirt, but he said he’d already changed. Then I said: anything then, a sock, shorts, I don’t know,” Andreas Pereira told ESPN Brasil.
“He said he had a pair of shorts, I said it would do. He gave it to me, it was incredible, and the shorts are still in a safe to this day. Every now and then, before an important game, I go and get them to give me confidence, to rub on my leg.”
Pereira then revealed a recent episode where he could speak to Kaka again. That happened with his Fulham teammate Willian, who happens to know the former AC Milan and Real Madrid star.
“Two weeks ago, I was at Willian’s house and he asked me who I really admired. I said I’d always liked Kaka a lot, because of his style of play, he was an example to me. He said he knew Kaka and said he was going to ring him. I thought: he must be joking. I kept quiet, it put me off. He called, I heard his voice and I couldn’t stand it, I cried. I spoke to him, to this day I can’t believe I spoke to Kaka. Everyone was in shock.
“Kaka even said that when he came here we were going to do something, and I joked with Willian: don’t even call me, I’ll freeze at the table. He’s always been an idol to me, I’ve always liked his style. A very special person.”
Castelo-Branco then asked if he’s taking the shorts to tonight’s game against Tottenham for luck against Ange Postecoglou’s side, and he doesn’t think so.
“I don’t know if I will, no. Something might happen to the shorts. I’ll leave it at home (laughs).”
Featuring for Fulham this season, Pereira has one goal and one assist in nine appearances, always holding a starting place in Marco Silva’s side.
Now in case he has a great game against Tottenham tonight, we may know the big secret for a good individual performance.
