Fred Stole a Goal for Brazil But Couldn’t Steal the Match’s Ball

Twenty-two-year-old Brazilian striker Fred netted his first World Cup goal on Sunday less than a minute after entering Brazil’s match against Australia in Munich. 

Fred came in for Adriano in the 88th minute, and seconds later he was touching the ball into an open net after Robinho’s low shot from close range rebounded off the post.

Fred celebrated wildly, sprinting toward his teammates with his arms high in the air and briefly covering his face with his jersey.

"It was a magical moment for me, a moment of euphoria," Fred said Monday, June 19. "It was cool that all the players (on the bench) came to hug me, I could see how they were happy for me that I scored that goal."

The Lyon player tried to sneak out of the stadium with the ball of the match, but FIFA officials saw him and kept him from taking it.

"I was going to keep it for my father," he said. "I would get all the players to autograph it (for him), but I couldn’t do it, that’s OK."

Fred said he had "a hard time sleeping" after the match because of the several messages and calls he got from friends and relatives in Brazil.

"Everybody was crying back home, everybody was happy when I called after the match," he said. "They have been supporting me since the beginning of my career, even before I was a player … It’s something very moving, it makes me very happy."

Brazil won the match 2-0, Adriano had netted the team’s first goal in the 49th minute, and advanced to the second round. The defending champion will play Japan on Thursday in its last Group F match. A draw will secure the team a first-place finish.

Fred is considered the 23rd-man in Brazil’s roster, and the fourth striker behind Ronaldo, Adriano and Robinho.

The goal was his second in only three appearances with the national team.

"Nothing can beat this," he said. "It’s the realization of a childhood dream."

Brazil arrived at its new training camp in Bergisch Gladbach on Monday. The team’s starters underwent physical training in the gym, while Fred and the other second-stringers had a light practice session on the field.

Fred, whose full name is Frederico Chavez Guedez, transferred from Brazil’s Cruzeiro to five-time French champion Lyon in 2005 in deal reportedly worth US$ 15.1 million.

Pravda – www.pravda.com

Tags:

You May Also Like

Despite Unemployment 3 Million Children Work in Brazil

It is estimated that worldwide over two hundred million children and youths work when ...

Gene Bank in Brazil Reaches 500 Species and Becomes World’s 7th Largest

A Brazilian gene bank of plant seeds has become the world’s seventh largest, behind ...

Latin America Mother’s Milk Bank Modeled After Brazil

Brazil has the largest network of mother’s milk banks in the world, according to ...

Brazil’s Lula Warmly Welcomes Chavez into the Mercosur Brotherhood

During the opening ceremony of the 29th Mercosur Summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, Brazilian President ...

Brazil to Ban Glamour and Sex in Drinking Ads

The Brazilian federal government intends to be tougher with rules on advertising for alcoholic ...

Research and Technology Bring Boom to Brazilian Fruit Farmers

EspÀ­rito Santo, a state in southeastern Brazil, has registered 30% growth in fruit production ...

Brazil Wants Five New Nuclear Plants

Brazil announced the construction of seven nuclear plants by 2025 to ensure energy sufficiency ...

UN Asks Brazil’s Lula to Lead Fight Against Refugee Intolerance

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, asked president Luiz Inácio Lula ...

Cotton Cultivation in Brazil Falls 28% and Rice 24%

The eighth national 2005/2006 grain harvest survey, released Thursday, July 6, by Brazil’s National ...

Brazil and Arabs Break New Trading Records

Trade between Brazil and the Arab countries broke new records in July. Bilateral trade, ...