Léo Pereira eyes Brazil debut: “The responsibility is huge” | OneFootball

Center-back Léo Pereira celebrated his first call-up to the senior Brazil National Team and said he is ready for the opportunity. In an interview with CBF TV, the defender highlighted the fulfillment of a personal and family goal, as well as his expectation of working with coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“Very happy”

“It was a goal for me and my whole family to get here and represent a nation and the greatest national team in the world. I’m very happy with this opportunity, I’m getting familiar with my new teammates, but I was very well received. I hope to contribute and represent at the highest level, because the best players in the world are here. I’m here to complement the group and do my best to contribute as much as possible,” he said.

The player also emphasized the responsibility of wearing the national team shirt, but said he feels confident for the moment. “We all know the responsibility that comes with wearing the national team shirt, but I feel I’m ready for this moment. It’s a huge privilege to work with Ancelotti and with players who have won multiple titles. I want to make the most of every detail so I can keep growing,” he added.

Overcoming adversity

Born in Curitiba, Léo Pereira has played for Flamengo since 2020 and highlighted his journey of overcoming adversity at the Rio club. The defender recalled his inconsistent start and valued the progress he made from 2022 onward, a period in which he won titles and became more consistent. According to him, that run of strong performances was decisive in earning the call-up.

“My time at Flamengo has been marked by my resilience. I had a bad start, but from 2022 onward, I managed to achieve very good consistency and win several titles. Those factors have put me in the national team today,” he said.

“Time is short”

Called up for the friendlies against France and Croatia, the center-back said his preparation began right after the squad list was announced. He stressed the importance of the mental side, in addition to the physical and technical aspects, for performing well in the matches.

“Preparation started a few days ago. Time is short, but it’s important to absorb every detail. Mentality matters a lot, along with the physical and technical side. Putting all those factors together, we can play a great game,” he said.

Brazil faces France this Thursday (26) at 5 p.m. Brasília time at Gillette Stadium in Boston.

Reunion with the National Team

Despite making his debut with the senior team, Léo Pereira already has a history with Brazil’s youth national teams, having taken part in competitions such as the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, when Brazil finished as runner-up. The defender highlighted how different the current experience is and described the moment as unique in his career.

“Any call-up is special, but nothing compares to what I’m feeling now, which is indescribable. I’m trying as much as possible to enjoy this moment and represent in the best way possible,” he said.

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