Igor Paixão: ”My biggest dream is to play for the Brazilian national team”
Things can move fast in football. Igor Paixão has been included in the preliminary squad of the legendary Brazilian team for the first time. For us, it’s the perfect moment to look back at the in-form winger in front of the cameras of Life After Football, who at that time could only dream of being called up for the Seleção.
We travel back to South America, to the remote Brazilian city of Macapá, where Igor Guilherme Barbosa da Paixão took his first steps in this world. The city, located at the mouth of the Amazon River, can only be reached from the rest of mainland Brazil by ferry or plane. Because of this, it is not a typical place for scouts to find football talents. Nevertheless, Igor Paixão’s father was convinced of his son’s talent from an early age. The forward was born into a football-loving family and had only one dream: to become a professional footballer. Ronaldinho was his great idol, the player who inspired his own playing style. As far as he is concerned, Ronaldinho is the greatest Brazilian footballer of all time.
Igor Paixão: “Football was everywhere when I was growing up in Macapá. It was impossible to escape from it,” says Paixão. “My family loves it, and I have always loved the sport as well. Now I am living my dream. I am very grateful for that.”
2,800 kilometers away
The Brazilian had to leave his hometown to make it as a professional footballer and, at the age of fourteen, ended up about 2,800 kilometers to the south at the Brazilian football club Coritiba. “My father signed me up for trial training at several clubs, including Corinthians, Flamengo, Santos, and Coritiba. I trained at all of them. Eventually, I flew to Curitiba, had two trial sessions there, and, thank God, everything worked out.”
His father moved with him to Curitiba. Once they had settled there, his sister, cousin, and mother also moved to the south of the country. In the end, his parents gave up everything to make their son’s dream come true. That is why family has always been important to the Feyenoord player. “Without their support, it would have been much harder to be where I am now. I have learned so much from them. We are there for each other and help each other. Now, it is my time to give back to my family.”
“My biggest dream is to play for the Brazilian national team”
What once seemed far away now feels closer than ever. In the meantime, the top-performing Paixão is in the pre-selection of Seleção. “My biggest dream is to play for the Brazilian national team. My family and I are working very hard for this. I want to win many titles with Feyenoord and not let a single season go to waste. My goal is to score more goals each season than the previous one.” Paixão’s dreams are closer than ever. The skillful winger has some advice for young footballers with dreams. “You must always chase them, work hard, train, and continue growing every day. Always carry joy with you and be happy.”
Want to read more personal stories? Check out our recap of the interview with Igor Paixão’s new coach: Robin van Persie.
