Former Man United star Andreas Pereira reveals his bizarre pre-match leg-rubbing superstition… and it’s all linked to his love for Brazil icon Kaka
- Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira has revealed a bizarre pre-match superstition
- The former Man United star admitted he keeps a pair of Kaka’s shorts in a safe
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Andreas Pereira might be able to boast the most bizarre pre-match ritual out of any footballer after revealing he rubs a pair of another player’s shorts on his legs before important games.
The Brazilian came through the youth ranks at Manchester United but struggled to cement a regular first-team place and subsequently joined Fulham in a £10m deal last year.
However, his time at the Red Devils gave him the chance to rub shoulders with some of the sport’s greatest names and a rare childhood meeting with Brazil icon Kakahas had a lasting impact on the midfielder.
Like many rising stars at clubs, academy youngsters often work pitch-side as ball boys at matches.
Pereira was called on by legendary Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson prior to a Champions League clash against Kaka’s Real Madrid side and asked his fellow countryman for a pair of shorts at the end of the game.
Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira has revealed a bizarre pre-match superstition
Pereira explained how he will rub a pair of shorts from Brazil legend Kaka on his legs
Pereira revealed he got the shorts of Kaka while deployed as a ball boy during his Manchester United youth
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Now at the age of 27, the Fulham star told ESPN Brasil how he keeps the shorts in a safe but takes them out for important matches and rubs them over his legs to give him confidence.
‘It was a Champions League match between Manchester and Real Madrid and I was a ball boy,’ explained Pereiera.
‘Alex Ferguson asked the U21 and U18 players if they wanted to be ball boys, because he needed the ball quicker and so on.
‘After the game, I waited and saw Kaka. I asked for his shirt, but he said he’d already changed.
‘Then I said: anything then, a sock, shorts, I don’t know,’ Andreas Pereira told ESPN Brasil.
‘He said he had a pair of shorts, I said it would do. He gave it to me, it was incredible, and the shorts are still in a safe to this day.
‘Every now and then, before an important game, I go and get them to give me confidence, to rub on my leg.’
Kaka is an idol in Brazil after winning the World Cup at 20-years-old with the South American nation in 2002. He starred for Real Madrid and AC Milan during an established career before retiring at the age of 35.
Kaka gave Pereira the shorts after a Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Old Trafford
Pereira further explained how he started crying when his Fulham team-mate Willian (pictured) called Kaka so they could speak
However, his star status still has Pereira feeling like a child after the Fulham midfielder further explained he started crying after his club team-mate Willian called Kaka while the pair were relaxing together.
‘Two weeks ago, I was at Willian’s house and he asked me who I really admired,’ added Pereira.
‘I said I’d always liked Kaka a lot, because of his style of play, he was an example to me. He said he knew Kaka and said he was going to ring him. I thought: he must be joking.
‘I kept quiet, it put me off. He called, I heard his voice and I couldn’t stand it, I cried. I spoke to him, to this day I can’t believe I spoke to Kaka. Everyone was in shock,’ he said.
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