Arsenal’s Brazilian defender, Gabriel Paulista, says he is “proud” to have given his mother a better life after a tough upbringing in Brazil.
The defender grew up in the south of Sao Paulo and lived in a dangerous neighbourhood plagued by crime and poverty.
Gabriel said that his desire to help his mother escape the area gave him the motivation he needed to succeed as a footballer.
“She lived in a shack in a favela,” he told Arsenal Player. “I talk about it because I am not ashamed of saying it, and today I am proud of being able to help her, to give her a better life, and me as well because I always dreamed about it. Thanks to God, things are coming true.
“I have seen many things on the outdoor neighbourhood pitches. I have seen death, I have witnessed robberies, I’ve been robbed in Sao Paulo. I’ve seen many things. I practically grew up with this. But thanks to God I took a path in my life because, for all that I have seen, for the bad things I have witnessed, my life could have been very different.
“But I was strong. I thought about my mother’s story and told myself that my mother couldn’t go through this anymore. She can’t, she must have a better life. So thanks to God I took a different path and am here today. I am fulfilling a dream I had since I was little, and thanks to God things are moving in the right direction.”
Gabriel joined a long line of Brazilians who have used football to escape poverty, and he is hoping his story can inspire the next generation of youngsters to make a similar journey.
The Arsenal defender was embroiled in the ensuing controversy that trailed the club’s clash with Premier League champions, Chelsea in which he was sent off in the 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge for his angry reaction toward Diego Costa following the Chelsea striker’s clash with Gunners centre-back, Laurent Koscielny.
Chelsea were fined £40,000 and Arsenal £30,000 and warned as to their future conduct after failing to control their players during the September 19 derby.
An FA statement read, “Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Chelsea and Arsenal have been fined £40,000 and £30,000 respectively and warned as to their future conduct after both clubs admitted a breach of FA Rule E20.
“The charge was for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion from the 44th to the 47th minute of the game at Stamford Bridge on 19 September 2015.
“The Independent Regulatory Commission considered the previous disciplinary records of both clubs in reaching its decision on sanction.”
