Mauro Júnior's Prophecy Fulfilled with Brazil Call-Up

The 2017 video in which renowned freestyler Diego Freestyle prophesied that Mauro Júnior would wear the Brazil national team jersey resurfaced after the PSV full-back was called up by Carlo Ancelotti for friendlies against Australia, India, and other opponents. The prophecy, which only went viral recently, materialized after nearly a decade of hard work and adaptation abroad.

Future star predicted in Chinese tournament

Diego Freestyle met Mauro Júnior in 2016, when the player was playing for Desportivo Brasil at the Weifang Cup, an under-20 tournament in China that featured clubs such as Real Madrid and Benfica. Mauro scored in a victory over Real Madrid and was named the tournament's best player, catching the attention of Diego, who, after training him, recorded a video claiming he would one day be seen on the pitch for the Seleção.

Transition from midfielder to full-back at PSV

Mauro arrived at PSV in 2018 as an attacking midfielder. In 2021, during the pandemic, regular starter Philipp Max contracted Covid-19, leaving the squad without a backup for the role. Manager Roger Schmidt deployed Mauro as an improvised left-back, where he made an immediate impression. He states that the switch was born of opportunity and that, by holding onto the spot, he earned starting status.

Decision to remain Brazilian

With Dutch naturalization on the horizon, Mauro turned down an offer from the Dutch federation, explaining that he would have had to renounce his Brazilian passport and that his dream of representing Brazil remained the priority. He recalls having already played for Brazil at youth levels, including the 2015 South American U-17 Championship, and that retaining his Brazilian nationality was essential to his goal.

Call-up and expectations for the national team

In an interview with O GLOBO, Mauro revealed that the conviction he could reach the national team came right after his very first training session as a full-back. He emphasizes that hard work, dedication, and the ability to adapt to different positions were crucial to reaching the level required by the national side. His call-up for the September and October friendlies is seen as a key step toward cementing his spot in the squad.

Impact on PSV's performance

At PSV, Mauro contributed 11 assists in 37 matches last season, along with goals and key roles in title campaigns. His attacking style, featuring overlapping runs and underlapping movement inside, fits Roger Schmidt's tactical system and has earned the appreciation of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who included him in the squad for the friendly window.

With reporting from UOL, ge, Terra.