Growing up in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, I spent most of my childhood playing soccer anywhere I could on uneven dirt fields, narrow cobblestone streets, and crowded neighborhood courts. Since I was smaller than many of the other kids, the game quickly taught me how to think fast, stay tough, and adapt. To me, futebol was never just entertainment; it became a way to communicate, express myself, and eventually understand life around me. My connection to soccer started so early that I can hardly remember a time without it. One of my first clear memories takes place on Christmas Eve in Brazil, when children wait until midnight for Santa Claus to arrive. That year, all I wanted was a soccer ball. The moment I finally received one, I was too excited to sleep. Right there in our living room, late at night, I started kicking the ball around with my father. I was only a young child, but even then, soccer already represented happiness and freedom to me. As I got older, I became close with a family that shared a deep passion for the sport. My friends Aloísio, Nelson, and Nilo were talented players who lived and breathed football. Aloísio, despite having a physical condition that affected one of his legs, had an incredible understanding of the game and unmatched enthusiasm. Spending time with their family also introduced me to a wider cultural world. Through them, I discovered photography, music from outside Brazil, film, and art. Looking back, it feels natural that my appreciation for the creativity of soccer eventually grew into a love for art itself.