Brazil Under-20 boss explains Matheos Ferreira call-up

Matheos Ferreira has opened up about joining Brazil Under-20s for the first time, while head coach Paulo Victor has explained the scouting work behind the Newcastle youngster's call-up.

Born in Ashington, the 18-year-old qualifies for Brazil through his father. Primarily a winger, he has been playing as a No.10 for our Under-21s this season and scored twice in his opening ten competitive appearances, as we covered in our original report on his Brazil Under-20 call-up.

Ferreira joined our academy from Berwick Juniors in 2020 and featured for the first team in July's pre-season friendly at Gateshead. He is now in Belém with Brazil Under-20s, preparing for two friendlies against Peru.

Ferreira getting to grips with Portuguese

Speaking to the Brazilian FA, Ferreira said:

"It was very tiring, but I'm happy to have arrived here. I was really looking forward to being here and practising my Portuguese. I'm making an effort."

Asked how he felt about representing Brazil, he added:

"I'm very happy to play for Brazil and to have been called up."

After travelling via São Paulo, Ferreira went straight from the airport to Monday's training session, joining the rest of the group for their first workout in Belém.

European scouting led Brazil to Ferreira

Explaining the scouting trips with assistant Lucas Andrade and youth coordinator Branco, Paulo Victor said:

"We have this project to find promising players who play outside the country. After the extended international window in Spain, Branco, Lucas and I stayed in Europe, visiting clubs in Germany, England, Spain, Portugal and Italy.

"We visited lots of players who are on our radar and found some good options. Matheos is one of them: he's coming to be assessed and to have his first opportunity with the Brazilian national team.

"And football has a universal language. He's a boy the group has already welcomed really well and, without a doubt, he'll show everything he can during this time with us."

Ferreira is one of 23 players in camp and will now be hoping to turn his first call-up into a debut against Peru.

A lad from Ashington learning Portuguese so he can play for Brazil sounds like some bizarre dream, but here we are. Only in football. Boa sorte, Matheos!