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"It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo and now I'm here," Vinicius said.

Even growing up in Sao Goncalo, a city outside Rio de Janeiro controlled by drug gangs and where you simply cannot move freely, did not prepare Vinicius for what he would face in Spain following his move in 2018 from Flamengo to Real Madrid, aged 18.

Having grown up in Sao Goncalo, the most dangerous city in Rio de Janeiro's metropolitan area, Vinicius had to overcome the odds to make it to the top.

Relentless racism wasn’t part of Vinícius’ dream when he was growing up in Sao Goncalo.

A teacher at a Sao Goncalo school that will host the project, Mariana Alves, hopes it will provide kids much-needed support and preparation.