Gabriel Bontempo on first Brazil call-up: “A childhood dream” | OneFootball

Gabriel Bontempo celebrated his first call-up to the Brazilian National Team in a press conference held this Wednesday (23) in Brisbane, Australia. He also emphasized that the opportunity represents the fulfillment of a dream he had cherished “since childhood.”

“I’m very happy to be here, it’s been a dream since I was little. Everyone who loves football and wants to be a player dreams of making it to the Brazilian National Team. I’m very happy with this opportunity. I hope to enjoy it to the fullest and do my best,” he said excitedly.

At 21, the Santos midfielder is one of nine debutants chosen by Carlo Ancelotti for the Super FIFA Date, which will feature two friendlies against Australia and one against India. Alongside him, Arthur Dias, Otávio, Breno Bidon, Jair, Mauro Júnior, Matheuzinho, Martinelli, and Pedro Morisco are also having their first experience with the senior national team.

Gabriel Bontempo during a Brazilian National Team press conference in BrisbaneCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Of the 26 players called up, Bontempo has center-back Jair as a longtime friend. Both developed at Santos, and they lived together when they were ten years old. At the time, the defender’s family could not afford the expenses of a house in the city of Santos. The solution was for Jair to live at Bontempo’s house during his first year in Peixe’s youth academy.

At the club from the Baixada Santista, Bontempo is joined by players with experience in the Brazilian National Team, such as Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Veríssimo, Éverton Cebolinha, Arthur, and Gabriel Barbosa. Before joining the national team in Brisbane, he spoke with his Santos teammates about the atmosphere around the Seleção.

“Even before, and now with these additions, I’m surrounded by stars who have also worn the national team shirt. And they have helped me a lot since I found out about the opportunity to come to the national team—they gave me advice and helped me just as they did before. Having them in the Santos squad, already with that experience (with the national team), was very important in preparing me,” he concluded.

Gabriel Bontempo during a Brazilian National Team press conference in BrisbaneCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Gabriel Bontempo is available to coach Carlo Ancelotti for the friendlies against Australia and India. Check out Brazil’s schedule for this Super FIFA Date:

Friday (September 25)

Brazil vs. Australia — 7 a.m. Brasília time (8 p.m. local time), at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, in Townsville

Tuesday (September 29)

Brazil vs. Australia — 7 a.m. Brasília time (8 p.m. local time), at Suncorp Stadium, in Brisbane

Saturday (October 3)

Brazil vs. India — 11 a.m. Brasília time (7:30 p.m. local time), at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium (known as Salt Lake), in Kolkata

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.