In this exclusive interview with TheTeam, we sit down with professional soccer player Zé Santana to hear his incredible football story of perseverance and determination.

Welcome to TheTeam, Zé Santana.
It's an honor to have you share your inspiring football story today.

Thank you for having me. It's a privilege to be here.

For those who may not know, you were born and raised in the favelas of Brazil, and against all odds, you went on to become one of the top football players in the world.

Yes, that's correct. It wasn't an easy journey, but I'm grateful for every step of it.

We'd like to take you back in time to your childhood in the favelas of Brazil.
Can you describe a typical day for you as a young boy?

There is one specific day that I'll never forget. It was a hot summer day, and I was out playing soccer with my friends on a makeshift field in the heart of the favela. The sun was shining, and we were laughing, joking and playing the game we all loved so much.

That sounds like a happy day.

It was, but it was also a difficult day. You see, my family was struggling to make ends meet, and my mother was working multiple jobs just to put food on the table. On this particular day, she was exhausted and had to leave work early. When she arrived home, she found that our house had been broken into, and all our possessions were gone.

That must have been devastating.

I remember the feeling of hopelessness and sadness that washed over me. Everything we had was gone, and we were back to square one. But then, something strange happened. As I was playing soccer with my friends, I suddenly felt a rush of joy and happiness. It was as if the sport was telling me to keep going, to never give up.

That's a beautiful moment.

Yes, it was. And from that day on, I made a promise to myself that I would do everything in my power to make a better life for my family and myself. Soccer became my source of inspiration and hope.

And that's exactly what you did, Zé. You went on to achieve greatness in the sport and become a top soccer player. Can you tell us a bit about your football journey to the top?

It was a long road filled with sacrifices and hard work. I trained every day, no matter the conditions. Rain, shine, hot, cold, it didn't matter. I was determined to make my dream a reality. But it was hard at first. I wasn't able to contribute to the family income - my elder brother dropped out of school and worked to help my mother in providing for the family. I could have done the same, but I was sure that following the path of professional sports would pay off. I played for local teams, and eventually, I caught the eye of a scout who offered me a chance to play for a professional club. From there, it was a matter of working hard, improving my skills and impressing the coaches and fans. 

That's a remarkable journey. You're an inspiration to so many people, not just in Brazil but all over the world.

Thank you. It means a lot to hear that. To tell the truth, I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of some very important people in my life. I am so grateful to my family who always believed and supported me. I could not have done this without them. 

Zé, your story is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing it with us today.

Thank you for having me. I hope that my story can inspire others to never give up on their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. With hard work, determination, and the right people by your side, anything is possible.