Andreas Pereira.

Pereira poised to make Brazilian history

Tuesday 21 August 2018 07:00

Andreas Pereira's call-up to Tite's Brazil squad is being viewed as a historic moment in the South American media.

The talented midfielder, who was part of Manchester United's Academy and has started both Premier League games this season, was born in Duffel in Belgium but his father is a Brazilian ex-player and he has always declared his great affection for the Selecao.

After scoring in the Under-20 World Cup for the South Americans, his form has earned a place in the squad for next month's friendlies against  El Salvador and USA. If he gets any playing time, the 22-year-old will become the first man born outside of Brazil to represent the national team in 100 years.

Andreas Pereira made his Premier League bow against Leicester City.

Only three players have previously achieved what Andreas is on the brink of realising, putting into context just how impressive a feat it is, considering the absolute embarrassment of riches at coach Tite's disposal.

Sidney Pullen was born in Southampton in 1895 and was capped five times by Brazil. Somebody with a fascinating story, he migrated to South America with his father, Hugh, and starred for Flamengo. He actually fought in World War I and refereed a match during the 1917 Copa America, Argentina's 6-1 victory over Chile, before turning out three times for his country in the tournament.

Goalkeeper Casemiro do Amaral was born in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, but was first choice for the Selecao at the start of the 20th Century. And the last non-Brazilian to pull on the famous yellow shirt was Francisco Police. The midfielder hailed from Italy and played in a representative game against Uruguayan outfit Dublin on 27 January 1918.

Pereira spoke to Inside United, the official club magazine, about Brazil in 2016 and declared his ambitions to play senior football for his father Marcos Antonio's country. He has also represented them at Under-23 level.

"I always support Brazil," he stated. "Always. Everyone puts the jersey on for Brazil and watches the game. It’s a special moment. When you’re young, everyone in the family likes football. The first thing you get when you’re small is a football. The next thing is a jersey of your favourite club. Everyone is playing outside in the streets and football is everything in Brazil. You don’t have to be rich or poor. It doesn’t matter who you are. You play football, everyone together, and it’s nice.

"My ultimate dream is to play for the first team of Brazil and win a World Cup. That’s my biggest dream. I know United can help me a lot with that dream and hopefully we can help out each other."
Andreas Pereira says

"In Brazil, you don’t have to be rich or poor. It doesn’t matter who you are. You play football, everyone together, and it’s nice."

Fred is also in the 24-man squad, with his club colleague one of six men handed their maiden senior call-up, as Tite looks to build for next year's Copa America, which is being held in Brazil.

The El Salvador game takes place on 11 September near Washington, followed by the USA encounter in New Jersey on 15 September.

The Big Interview: Andreas Pereira

 Article

We highly recommend this recent Q&A with the no.15, who spent a season on loan with our next opponents Valencia.