From milking cows to Man City – the story of Savinhopublished at 10:29 British Summer Time
10:29 BST
Marcus Alves
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty Images
Having grown up in his grandparents’ home in Sao Mateus, in the south-east of Brazil, Savinho learned early in his life to ride horses, milk cows and plant vegetables such as lettuce, okra and tomatoes. It remains his favourite holiday destination.
“If you ask him whether he wants to spend it in Cancun, Mexico or with his grandparents, he will definitely choose the latter. That’s his passion,” his mother Dona Nilma said.
As much as Savinho enjoyed the daily routine on the farm, however, he was meant for football.
It didn’t take long for Nilma to find it out either – he was only five when she heard a prophecy from one of his first coaches. “This kid will be a footballer,” he predicted.
Savinho started playing on the beach, and after switching to the pitch, was soon on the radar of big teams.
Ultimately, the left-footer signed for Atletico Mineiro after impressing in a match against their under-17s side. He was 11.
He went on to become, at 16, the youngest player to play for Atletico in the Brazilian league and, at 18, the youngest to score for them in the Copa Libertadores.
His meteoric rise convinced City Football Group to move quickly and it beat competition from Arsenal to secure his services in 2022.