Sérgio Barboza, ex-Flamengo, finds fame as football’s ‘stunt double’ online | OneFootball

Sérgio Barboza, 32, has reinvented himself online, styling his career as football’s stunt double and amassing more than 160,000 followers in a little over four months.

"The stunt double player does not accumulate money, but has plenty of stories to tell. The job is the same, only the money changes. It is just like a film stunt double," he told Globo.com.

Barboza turned professional at Flamengo in 2011 and 2012, in the Ronaldinho era, but did not make the first team after training with the star. He terminated his deal in 2012 to join Macaé. "It was the craziest thing anyone has done, I think. If I could go back, I would not," he said.

Blocked by in form full back Valdir Firmo and facing late wages, he left Macaé, spent six months without a club and began the journeyman life.

He has since played in Cambodia, Nepal, India, Honduras, the United States, Guatemala, Malta and Angola. "You can get by as a stunt double. The dollar is worth R$ 6. In some countries you end up making decent money," he said.

His stories include eating frogs on skewers, being unveiled on a camel and working children’s parties in the United States. In Nepal he fronted a music video that went viral.

Planning for life after playing, he has a degree in physical education and holds an AFA coaching licence. "I have an agreement with Bravos do Maquis in Angola. I will report there in the coming days," he said.

Source: Globo.com