On a memorable day, January 15, 2024, Guilherme Madruga, a rising Brazilian football star, experienced a key moment. He attended The Best FIFA Football Awards™ in London, where he not only met his football idols but also received the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award. This day also marked his signing with the top-flight Brazilian club, Cuiaba.
Standing on stage, a mix of excitement and humility in his voice, Madruga expressed his feelings: “Today is a unique day in my life. It will certainly be remembered by everyone who has been alongside me since the start.”
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Madruga’s journey to this point began on June 27, 2023, when he was still with Desportivo Brasil, on loan to Botafogo from Ribeirao Preto. His aspiration was simple yet profound – to secure a permanent deal and fulfill a dream his father once held dear. Amidst modest ambitions, Madruga achieved a moment of brilliance with a spectacular overhead kick goal, a feat that later earned him a nomination for the FIFA Puskás Award in September.
🚨🚨| OFFICIAL: This goal from Guilherme Madruga has won the Puskas award for 2023!
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) January 15, 2024
By November, as the Brazilian season reached its zenith, Madruga’s dream inched closer to reality. He celebrated his birthday with the news of his permanent signing with Botafogo-SP. However, fate had more twists in store. On the cusp of the FIFA ceremony, an announcement came: Cuiaba had signed Madruga, a versatile player adept in both defense and midfield.
Reflecting on his journey, Madruga said,
“When I scored that goal I was on loan and I just wanted to be bought by the club… Since then, I was bought but then sold again, and now it has been announced that I will play in Brazil’s top division. It’s not at all what I had planned, but it’s all for the better.”
At the ceremony, amidst a galaxy of football greats like Ronaldo, Cafu, and Roberto Carlos, Madruga spoke of the quintessential creativity of Brazilian football, drawing inspiration from legends like Rivaldo and Ronaldinho Gaucho. “This kind of creativity is always on show in Brazilian football… I just tried to pull something out of the hat and got lucky,” he shared.
Madruga’s speech turned poignant when he mentioned his family. He spoke of his father’s unwavering support and his mother’s tears of longing and joy, dedicating his success to them: “Dad, all of those who called you crazy for taking me to train in the sand when I was 13 years old – they’re not going to call you crazy any more. Mum, all the times you hid yourself away and wept while I was far way were worth it… I dedicate this to my family who are in Brazil, all together. It’s a dream to be here, among my idols. Thank you God. Thank you everybody.” This day marked not just a personal victory for Madruga, but a culmination of his family’s dreams and sacrifices.
