Igor Paixao, from the Amazon to Marseille, the quilombo roots behind OM’s record signing | OneFootball

OM’s record signing Igor Paixao grew up in a community of descendants of enslaved people near Macapa in Brazil’s north. He left at 14, travelling more than 4,000 km to pursue football. He joined Marseille for 35 M€ including bonuses.

L'Équipe reports he spent late December back by the Amazon with family after flying from Marseille. He helped open a synthetic pitch, then enjoyed a pagode concert.

He honours his late grandfather, Raimundo Araujo de Paixao, Curiau’s club founder and a community leader, whose name now titles a new arena. Igor has his portrait tattooed and says representing a people who suffered gives him strength.

Paixao progressed from futsal at São José to the Zico 10 school, then joined Show de Bola at 13.

Trials at Santos, Corinthians and Flamengo brought no breakthrough. In 2014 he beat 400 hopefuls to join Coritiba, his father shelving law studies to accompany him. A move to Feyenoord followed, then to Marseille.

This season he has 10 goals and 5 assists in 32 games. He praised supporters who share his values and wants to surpass his 18-goal mark from 2024-25, trying to reach 20 this season.

Before Feyenoord in 2022, a switch to Nice was close, with recruiter Henrique proposing a loan to Lausanne. As talks dragged, Paixao excelled at Coritiba and was sold to Feyenoord for 4.5 M€. Henrique believes he could become a Seleçao regular.

Source: L'Équipe