growing up in the 1950's
Growing up in a time that “eating” was the most important thing in a family, soccer was more of an escape from the surroundings and a way to forget the harsh life around you.
one day i found out that i was alone on this path...
Nobody would believe that something you love the most is denied to you
Growing up is hard to do…
My family was not happy that I played soccer and particularly my father used to spank me to discourage me from playing and wasting time. He used to say that “Pelé is the only one that makes money of soccer”. My Italian mom didn’t help me either although I think the beating made me a stronger player and in this matter I was determined to follow my heart.
I used to ride my bike to games, which was huge because it was my father’s old bike and it was heavy and cumbersome and I had to pedal through the metal triangle frame because I was not big enough for that size of bike.
You are not like them…
Batata started his organized soccer career in a rich Italian community club called Juventus , suburban of Curitiba city, capital of Parana in Brazil. He was only 11 years old when he rode his old bike into Juventus tryouts and posed as a goal-keeper to then coach Tito who looking at the short goaltender said: go and play attacking midfielder for me. Surely a good way to get rid of another of many players attending his tryouts.
Surprisingly, Batata or “little potato” scored two goals in less than five minutes or two times he touched the ball and immediately after his second play he was interrupted by Tito who waived to him out of the field. Tito looked at him and said: “You are no keeper and you cannot play at this level”. Your next practice is tomorrow with our u14 team at 15:00. His days as goalkeeper seemed to be numbered.
Teasing works both ways…
Nilton Batata was given his nickname of Batata or “little potato” in his early school years by one of his classmates who used to play soccer with him after hours. “Nilton looks like a little potato rolling between his opponents as he dribbles them”, he teased Batata who thought that made no sense – a farmer’s analogy he guessed. What made sense was the fact that teasing nickname stayed with Nilton for the rest of his school years and eventually throughout his career.
Because Batata was always younger and much smaller than his counterparts people who watched him play were attracted by his quickness and skills but truly amused by his “little potato” nickname announcements during preliminary matches at professional games.
After two years and half with Juventus Nilton Batata decided to tryout for Club Atletico Paranaense by his brother’s suggestion who knew the head coach. Nilton Batata arrived at “Baixada” stadium along with another one hundred players and waited for almost three hours to be called. The head coach put almost everybody in to play but he missed this little guy sitting against the fence without shirt. Embarrassed by his mistake he invited Nilton Batata to show up next day…
Playing with my dog was one of the good memories I still have. Relationships transcend species.
Juventus was my first Club ever before my 11th birthday. When I turned 13 years old I was a little guy playing with 16 years old players. There is no old or young but good or bad players in Brazil.
When even your friends don’t think you are good enough…