Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo has named Brazilian icons Ronaldinho and Dani Alves as the two players that influenced him when he was looking to make the grade as a professional footballer.
The Brazilian duo, who are considered as two of the all-time greats for their talents and silky skills, played a key part in Cancelo's childhood, especially Ronaldinho.
The former Barcelona man, who officially retired from playing back in January 2018, was considered as the best player in the world before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi came along, meaning he was quite often the individual that children across the globe would look up to for inspiration.
Therefore, it is no surprise that Cancelo, who has been outstanding for City this season, both defensively and offensively, was such a fan of the Brazilian's talents whilst he was growing up.
"I started playing when I was around six years old, in the street. I would always play with older boys," Cancelo told City's club website. "I always had a fascination for playing football, I always loved to play.
"When I was young, I always asked my late mother for footballs. For Christmas, for my birthday, I just wanted a football!
"And that’s how everything started, my passion for football. As a kid my idol was Ronaldinho Gaucho.
"I've loved football ever since then; for the charm that this sport has, for the difficulty that this sport has.
"Of course, I started playing in the streets; I learned playing in the streets, and that’s where I improved all my football skills. My foundations come from there, and I improved with time.
"When I was eight years old, my father decided to take me to FC Barreirense, the team where I started. I did a trial, they liked me, and I stayed there. From then on, I kept improving.
"When I was 13, I went to Benfica, and that's where I spent time at the academy until I turned professional."
However, Ronaldinho set an incredibly high ceiling for anyone to try and replicate his talents, meaning Cancelo soon set his sights on become an attack-minded full-back.
That forced him to study Alves and try to replicate his talents.
The City ace added: "I'll be honest, in my position, my childhood idol is Daniel Alves. I didn't watch a lot of Cafu because I was too young, so I don't remember much from seeing him play.
"But Daniel Alves, in my opinion, is the best full-back ever. I'm a huge fan of his work, I am a fan of what he does on the pitch but also of the sense of freedom with which he plays.
"The joy with which he plays this sport, with which he loves this sport. He’s a role model for me in that regard. I love him as a player. I've never met him, but I'd love to. I think that sooner or later we'll get to meet each other.
"I'm sure we'd have a great conversation."
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