The last day of the Champions League put in the eyes of the world a story of overcoming starring the forward Junior Messias. The Brazilian scored the winning goal for AC Milan against Atletico Madrid, which allowed the Rossoneri team to stay alive and fight for a place in the round of 16.
In statements to Milan TV, the 30-year-old player showed excitement for what he had just experienced in the top European club tournament. "I came from a difficult moment, from two consecutive injuries, and I am very happy for the debut, the victory, and the goal. It made me want to cry. Everything I have experienced went through my mind. I thought of God, my story is written by Him," said the player born in Belo Horizonte.
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Reaching the top division of Italian football was not easy, he had to overcome some obstacles that life put in his way.
"In 2011, I came to live with my brother in Turin and started building my own story. In Brazil, I played football as a child, but it wasn't until 2015 that I started wanting to be a footballer," he recalled.
"When I arrived here, I only worked. I learned from my father. I can do a bit of everything: masonry, electrician..." he said. In Italy, he began playing amateur football with Sport Warique. "I was playing with the Peruvians in the UISP (Italian Union of Sport for Everyone) tournament and they offered me to go to Fossano, but they did not guarantee me a salary that was enough to support my family, so I preferred to continue breaking my back carrying appliances," he said.
Junior Messias played for Sport Warique, a team of Peruvians that competed in the UISP (Italian Union of Sport for Everyone) tournament in Turin.
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The Peruvian Oscar Vargas, owner of an appliance store, was the one who gave him the opportunity to be one of the deliverymen in his store, despite being illegal.
Junior Messias: his rise to Serie A in Italy
While playing amateur tournaments wearing the Peruvian national team shirt, he was discovered by former Torino player and coach, Ezio Rossi. That's where his story in professional football began to unfold.
He made his debut with Casale, in the Fifth Division of Calcio, where he scored 21 goals in 32 matches. Then he moved to Serie C, where he played for Chieri, scoring 14 goals and providing 33 assists. In 2019, he signed with Crotone (Serie B), and then, despite being 28 years old, AC Milan decided to sign him.
"Reaching Serie A at 29 years old, five years after starting playing in Eccellenza, is not easy or normal. I deserved this 'fairy tale'. I made many sacrifices and it's never too late. I arrived at Milan at the age of 30, so anything is possible," said Messias.