Flamengo officially announce Michael: 'The favela won' | OneFootball

On Monday, 23-year-old striker Michael was finally announced as Flamengo’s reinforcement.

Flamengo successfully purchased 80% of the player’s economic rights from Goiás for €7.5m (R$34.2m) and signed him to a five-year contract.

Michael’s journey has been a long one. He grew up in Poxoréo, a small favela of fewer than 18,000 people in the state of Mato Grosso.

At 16, he gambled on himself and moved to Goiânia but failed trials at the state’s four biggest clubs and played amateur football until age 19.

He then earned a place with Monte Cristo in the state’s third division. Less than two years later, he signed for Goianésia and took his chance, being named the breakthrough player of the 2017 Goianão.

Michael was then offered a deal with Serie B side Goiás and though he was seldom used as more than a substitute for the 2017 campaign, he became their regular starter and became a breakout star in 2018, helping them achieve promotion to the first division.

Michael only got better as the stakes were raised in 2019 and was named the Brasileirão’s best newcomer after scoring nine goals in 35 matches and guiding Goiás to an unbelievable 10th-placed finish.

Now, his dreams have become a reality. On the 10th of January, it was officially announced that Brasileirão and Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo signed the player.

In Monday’s press conference, Michael was visibly emotional as he spoke about his journey.

“The favela won. The broken won. A kid who came out of nowhere is someone,” Michael said.

“That kid who at 23 everyone thought he was going to be dead, is alive today. I had no perspective on life and I’m here. If I put it in my head that I can go, I will.

“I can’t let people create a limit for me. And I dreamed.”

Michael was third player announced by Flamengo for 2020. Before him, striker Pedro Rocha and defender Gustavo Henrique were also handed their introductions.

In the next few days, Lille midfielder Thiago Maia and Fiorentina striker Pedro will be the next names presented to the crowd. The duo will each arrive on a one-year loan.