Bruno Guimarães #8

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At the age of three Guimarães was in hospital with pneumonia, and again two years later. Doctors encouraged his parents to get him active to help his recovery and strengthen his lungs. First they tried swimming, but he didn’t like it. Then came football, and he didn’t look back. It was a tough road to the top of the game though. At 16 he joined Audax in São Paulo, where, he told UOL in 2022, “I shared a room with 22 other boys, some rats, and a few leaks.” He severely doubted himself at Audax, crippled by nerves, and said he owed everything to his coach there, Fernando Diniz. “I used to be terrified of playing soccer, feeling sick and even vomiting before games, skinny as a rail, with no strength whatsoever, listening to Diniz tell me 'you're going to be a spectacular player'. And I just thought 'this guy is crazy'. He told me I would be good at any profession I chose because I was dedicated and determined … He's a unique guy, a fundamental person. I root for him and we're still in touch.” Guimarães’s club future is unclear amid links to Manchester United and Chelsea.

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