Savinho’s Brazilian Roots Shine Through as Manchester City’s New Signing
New Manchester City recruit Savinho has strong connections to Brazil, where he frequently returns to help on his family’s farm.
Signed this week from Troyes for an initial £21m, Savinho, who is set to wear the No.26 shirt previously worn by Riyad Mahrez, brings with him the dynamic, exciting play typical of Brazilian football. His style on the wing offers a nostalgic touch in today’s game, and he arrives in Manchester following a path similar to Gabriel Jesus, who also made a significant impact after his move from Palmeiras as a teenager.
Yet, there’s more to Savinho than his football prowess. The 20-year-old often reflects on his unique upbringing: “Nobody will have a childhood like mine.”
Growing up in São Mateus, a coastal municipality in Brazil founded by Portuguese settlers, Savinho’s early years were spent on the family farm. He contributed to farming duties, rode horses, and helped with crop cultivation. Despite his rising football career, he maintained his ties to the land and family values.
Even after making the trip to Manchester for his signing, Savinho returned to São Mateus to work on the farm and spend time with his family. “I usually say to my friends that nobody will have a childhood like mine. I had a really good childhood, thanks to God I never went wanting, I always had the right things. But I wasn’t born with a silver spoon as they say either,” he shared.
Savinho continued, “I always had my things, my mum always helped, always worked so that I could have what I needed, my clothes, my money to buy some things. My childhood in São Mateus was in the countryside with my grandparents and mum, going out on the horses, things like that. I was just there recently; I arrived here yesterday but I had been there and I’m going back for another week of holidays to spend time with my grandparents.”
With family, farming, and faith as his grounding forces, Savinho remains connected to his roots even as he embarks on his Premier League journey. Despite his move to Manchester City, he remains committed to manual labor and his familial bonds.
In Manchester, Savinho hopes to integrate into the Brazilian community that has long been a part of North-West football. While players like Fernandinho have moved on, Ederson remains as a link to that community.
Like Ederson, Savinho arrives with a similar personal backstory—married young and prepared for a significant professional challenge. He proposed to Anna Carolina at 18 and married her a year later, shortly before his breakthrough season at Girona.
Savinho’s choice to move to Manchester City from other CFG clubs was influenced by the unique opportunities within the City Football Group. His long-standing dream of joining City, inspired by his friend, played a significant role. “Ever since I was little, growing up at Atlético Mineiro, I watched Manchester City games. I even have a friend whose dream it was to see me play for Manchester City. We played video games together and he would only play as Manchester City, so I had to play with the other teams! He told me that it was his dream for me to play at Manchester City one day, that I had the potential to reach that level.”
Savinho added, “Manchester City’s style of play is one that everybody who watches football loves. It’s a happy style, it really is the beautiful game. I can’t wait to start training so that I can adapt to Manchester City’s football.”
He understands the challenges ahead under Pep Guardiola but is well-prepared to put in the hard work required.
