Playing Football Is Like Being In Amusement Park, Says Brazillian Footballer Estavo

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 4 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Brazilian teenager Estevao said on Tuesday that being happy on the pitch was key to unlocking his potential and admitted to feeling nerves ahead of his possible international debut against Ecuador, reported Xinhua.

In his first press conference as a Brazil player, Estevao revealed that mental preparation had allowed him to adapt quickly to the rigors of professional football.

"I work a lot on the psychological aspect with my family and talk about it with my parents," the 17-year-old Palmeiras forward said.

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"Playing football is like being in an amusement park for me. It's where I feel happy and free. I have to be happy to play well. And that's what I'm feeling right now. I'm very happy wearing the Brazilian national team shirt. On the pitch, I play with joy. I'm glad to be building my career and I hope it's just the beginning."

Estevao, who will join Chelsea next July, has impressed in his first full season as a professional with 14 goals and 10 assists across all competitions for Palmeiras.

Despite his relative inexperience, the attacker said he felt ready to step up to the international stage for Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador on Friday and Paraguay next Tuesday.

But he admitted to feeling some jitters as he prepares to share a dressing room with players he had previously only seen on television.

"The guy who makes me most nervous is Vini Jr because of what he represents for Brazilian football at Real Madrid. For me, he is the best in the world right now. Not just with him, but with everyone because they are players we see playing in the Champions League. It gives me butterflies in my stomach, but I will try to learn a lot from them," he added.  

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA