Seu Ratinho, 81, sold cheese to back Bontempo and Jair on road to Brazil call-ups | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, at 81 José Eurípedes da Silva, known as Seu Ratinho, moved to Santos with grandson Gabriel Bontempo and kept the household going by selling Minas cheeses and other goods around the city.

He became a favourite in the community. Now the spotlight is on Bontempo, a Santos standout this season who has been handed a first Brazil opportunity under Carlo Ancelotti.

Seu Ratinho also gained a grandson by affection. Centre-back Jair lived with the pair after joining Santos aged 10, progressed via Botafogo, now plays for Nottingham Forest and has earned a first call-up in this squad.

With both among the options, Brazil face Australia in Townsville on Friday at seven Brasília time, then again on Tuesday 29 in Brisbane, before travelling to India to meet the hosts in Kolkata on 3 October.

Bontempo started organised football aged five in Uberaba, moved through Uberaba Sport and a Meninos da Vila school, then joined Santos' under-11s in 2016 to begin his path in the Baixada.

With his parents remaining in the Triângulo Mineiro for work, José Eurípedes sold products before and after training, and at Gabriel’s school and English classes, building a loyal clientele on the São Paulo coast. He still takes orders, and the sideline helped financially.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”