WESLEY was just nine when he lost his dad, Paulo, to a fatal stroke caused by drink and drugs.
And five years later, his childhood slipped away, too.
One-cap Brazil striker Wesley says his turbulent childhood helped make him the elite-level player he has become
Ex-Brugge hitman Wesley watches his strike fly in against Everton in August for promoted Villa as he thrives in the Premier League
The Aston Villa striker, still adjusting to the turbulence of his early teenage years, experienced a second seismic life event when he became a dad at just 14.
By the time he was 15, his baby boy, Ian Riquelme, had a half-sister, Maria Eduarda, after he fathered a second child to another woman.
Football took a back seat as Brazilian Wesley worked in a factory to raise cash to meet his responsibilities, starting at 7am and working back-breaking 11-hour shifts sorting out nails and screws for £150 a month.
Incredibly, the kid who had been reared on the indoor game Futsal never played an 11-a-side game on grass until he was 15.
‘TOO YOUNG TO UNDERSTAND’
Yet somehow, against all odds, seven years later he was Villa’s £22million record signing playing in the Premier League and looking forward to tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool.
Last month he made his debut for Brazil against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh.
Today, in his first UK newspaper interview, Wesley revealed: “You are the first person I’ll have told this to in an interview.
“It was always said my dad died of a brain tumour. But the truth is he had problems with drink and drugs which eventually caused him to die of a stroke.
“I was nine so I didn’t really understand what was happening.
Wesley never takes anything for granted after all he has faced in his 23 years
Wesley fires home against Norwich as he adjusts well to the top flight
“It’s only later, when you’re older, that you understand what really happened and these things make me really sad.
“This is the first time I’ve shared the reality of my loss. He was a great dad and when I talk about him I get quite emotional.
“In Brazil, the first present you receive when you are born is a football. We don’t just love football, we are born into it.
“My dad was a good player — not quite good enough to be a full pro — but he was decent.
“I was normally busy playing Futsal for my local club Little Botofogo but I managed to see him play a few times before he died.”
Wesley pauses for a moment, puts his chin to his chest and stretches out long legs as he regains his composure.
‘MY LEFT LEG IS 3CM BIGGER’
Doctors were astounded to discover the right one is 3cm shorter than the left — just another obstacle fate cruelly threw at him.
Typically, Wesley never saw it as a problem — or as an excuse.
He added: “Everyone asks about this. My left leg is 3cm bigger than my right leg and has been since I was very young.
“Fortunately it’s never caused me any difficulties or pain.
“Many people said it would be impossible for me to play professional football — a 3cm difference is a lot. Even the doctors are surprised at how I overcame it.
“But God has blessed me in many ways because my body naturally adapted and compensated for the difference.
Three years with Club Brugge springboarded Wesley to a move to Aston Villa for £22m in June
“Now I’m playing in the Premier League — the best league in the world.”
Wesley, now 23, is a welcome reminder that sheer passion and unshakeable faith can be a greater advantage than the bling which goes with the modern game.
He said: “When you have so many privileges I think it makes it really hard to make it at a big club.
“Having everything too young can make you complacent.
“Having no privileges gave me the ability to overcome obstacles and achieve the good times.
“After dad died my mum, Maria, didn’t enjoy the best financial conditions.
‘NO MONEY FOR BOOTS’
“I have four older brothers and sisters and money was hard to find but she made sure we never wanted for the important things.
“Sometimes I didn’t have enough money for boots or trainers, or even to get to training.
“But that’s helped me get where I am now.
“I had my first child when I was 14 and my second when I was 15 going on 16.
“I needed to work to provide some money and I found it at the local factory, making screws and nails.
“At first it was 11-hour shifts starting at 7am. I wasn’t able to train — just play on a Saturday.
“And then I was offered a contract playing for my local club Tupi FC. I’d work in the mornings, train in the afternoon and study into the night.
“I was now a young father taking on new responsibilities so I could look after my children financially.
“Eventually I was spotted by scouts from Atletico Madrid and spent five months there. But it didn’t work out and I ended up being signed by Slovakian side FC Trencin.
“It was my last chance to make it in Europe and I couldn’t afford to fail. For three months it snowed nearly every day and I couldn’t understand the language.
“But I stuck at it and it led me to my big chance and a move to Club Brugge in Belgium and, from there, to Aston Villa.
“Fortunately Mum kept a close eye on me and made sure I didn’t fall into bad ways.
“I had friends who died through drugs and gangs. There were temptations and it would have been easy to slip into doing drugs, drinking whisky.
“Other friends weren’t so lucky and some died as gang members.
“Now I try to help my family which is everything to me. I’ve got my own two kids to look after. No one in my family has to work now.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
