Among the youngest in the group led by Dorival Junior, Beraldo is close to competing in his first tournament with the Brazilian National Team. The defender emerged in 2023 with the current coach of the Seleção, helping São Paulo to win the unprecedented Copa do Brasil title. With the trophy in his resume, he transferred to PSG (FRA), where he quickly gained a starting spot, being deployed as a left-back and as a center-back.
In March of this year, at the age of 20, Beraldo was a starter in the friendly matches against England and Spain, with a performance that qualified him to be called up to the Brazil squad once again. Living through so many changes and successes in a short time, he reveals that he achieved the dream of representing his country sooner than expected.
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“Everyone who plays football dreams of being able to wear the national team jersey, but I confess that it happened a little faster than I dreamed. Many things are happening in my life and it will be incredible, at 20 years old, to represent my country at the Copa América. I hope to continue representing our country for many years,” he celebrated.
The Copa América will be Beraldo’s first official competition with the Brazilian National Team, which has been in preparation for a week in Orlando (USA). Brazil will face Mexico this Saturday (8) in College Station, Texas. On Wednesday (12), the Seleção will play against the United States in Orlando, Florida. The opening of the Copa América will be against Costa Rica on the 24th in Los Angeles. Paraguay and Colombia are also in Brazil’s group in the continental competition’s first phase.
“Everyone is striving for the same goal, which is to be champions and prepare in the best possible way for the start of the competition. Everyone is focused and with the same goal, I think that’s the most important thing for us,” he explained.
In search of the 10th Copa América title, the Seleção will have the leadership of Dorival Junior, a coach that Beraldo knows well from his time at São Paulo.
“I know how he treats people and the group. He is a wonderful person, not only him, but his entire staff. They always want to help and want the best from the player. Our group is understanding a lot and can deliver all of this to him. To be champions once again with him would be an honor for me,” he praised.
With the French club, the defender won the French Championship, the French Super Cup, and the French Cup in the last season. In addition to the happiness of being crowned champion, he has Marquinhos, a personal idol, by his side, and revealed that it was his club and national team teammate who informed him of the call-up for the Copa América.
“Marquinhos and I were training. When the training session ended, he came to tell me the news and I received it in the best possible way, from the hands of my idol, that I had been called up along with him to represent our country,” he said.
They form a strong duo, with Marquinhos playing on the right and Beraldo on the left. Since they joined forces at PSG, Beraldo’s admiration for his teammate has grown.
“He is an inspiration to me and having the opportunity to work with him every day, here in the Seleção and at the club, is a great pleasure for me. I identify a lot with him, for the way he plays, a very technical player, fast, with good positioning,” he said.
“Knowing him even more personally, I saw how important he is within a group, for his leadership and the ability to move everyone towards the same goal,” he added.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Watch the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
