Thiago Maia and Chelsea

Thiago Maia and Chelsea

Thiago Maia and Chelsea. If there’s one player. One family. That you hope can win that life-changing Premier League contract. It must be Thiago and the Maias.

The latest from Brazil’s Olympics camp is that Maia is now rethinking plans of sticking with Santos for the remainder of the season. Competing in Rio, where the boy has made history, has convinced Maia that he belongs at that level. He can shoot higher than Santos and the Brasileiro – even if he’s not two years into his pro career.

It’s been a tournament of firsts for Maia. He became the first athlete from Roraima – in any sport – to represent Brazil at the Olympics. Roraima, Brazil’s northernmost state, is more known for the Amazon, than its sporting heroes. But Maia is changing that.

Another first during the campaign was the midfielder’s father finally getting to see his son play ‘live’. Joel Maia also revealed to local media this week it was the first time since Thiago left home at 13 that they’d managed to spend a Father’s Day together.

“Since Thiago left Roraima, I have never spent a Father’s Day with my son, I now have the privilege of being with him on Sunday,” said Joel Snr.

“I wanted to wish a happy Father’s Day to all who are with their parents hugging and kissing. This is something precious. We have to value it. I thank God I had a good son and a good father. Just like I’m being a good father to Thiago and he is being a good son to me.”

Maia, a left-sided, ball-winning midfielder, who has drawn comparisons with former Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Redondo, entered the tournament in tears. At 19, he’s the second youngest of the squad, Gabriel Jesus, now of Manchester City, is only younger, and became overwhelmed at his first media conference in front of the world’s press.

“I am very happy to be here. When they called, I got very emotional. I remembered my father, who always fought for my rights and dreams. Despite football not being in Roraima, unlike the other states, I managed to get here.

“I suffered a lot to get here, with my family, with my mother and my father. My mother had cancer when I was eight, I’m evangelical, we have a lot of faith in God. We suffered a lot and … (with emotion) … and I think it is a dream I’m living since childhood.

“I have seen Ricardo Oliveira, Elano, Robinho giving interviews and here today is me. The penny hasn’t dropped yet…”

Rejected by Corinthians as a junior, Maia managed to earn a place with Santos’ academy. But it was tough. Very tough. However, he always had his faith, and says the experience was the making of him today.

“I lived for a while with a couple of friends at Penha [in Sao Paulo] and slept on an air mattress, which was punctured. I had no money to buy gum or a patch, so when I slept on it, it withered. I would wake up aching all over. At that time, I did not know how to cook, and tried to teach myself. I burned rice, sausage and did not have much to eat …

“But it’s okay. A football player has to have a story to tell…”

It’s “a story”, a journey, that now has him having played at the Rio Olympics – and seriously considering a move to Chelsea.

A week ago, Maia was happy to put off talk of leaving Santos until the end of this Brasileiro season. But his form at the Games and the chatter coming from outside his family circle has him seriously reconsidering his position.

For the moment, in terms of representation, Maia is a free agent. The famous Juan Figer, he of Zico, Robinho and Luis Figo fame, negotiated Maia’s current contract with Santos – which runs to 2019. But they’ve since parted company, leaving the midfielder’s affairs in the hands of Joel Snr and some trusted advisers, including Brazilian legend Clodaldo.

Clodaldo has urged Maia to stick with Santos for this season – at the least. As has Dorival, Santos’ head coach.

“There is a chance this boy will do well because he is a promising boy, who will surely have a very high development, he will be a top player in our country’s football. But he still needs a longer period of stability, and it will only be achieved if he has consistency,” says Dorival.

And Maia has put down roots at Santos. As a big name, he actively embraces being a role-model for the next generation.

“Sure, I still go see the junior grades play,” he says. “I remember being excited when a professional player would either train with me or watch me play. I try to be an inspiration for the boys, because life in football is not easy.”

However, Maia’s head has been turned. Giuliano Bertolucci, who counts PSG defender Marquinhos among his clients, has assured Maia that offers from Chelsea and the Parisians are imminent. And Maia is prepared to listen. After competing against some of Europe’s best young players in Rio, he’s realised he belongs in the same company. There may be less than two weeks to run before the market shuts, but Maia is keen. If Santos can come to an agreement, he’s prepared to pack his bags.

But, whether his destination is London or Paris, he’s sure not to forget “the story”.

“Being with him,” says Dad, Joel, “is like winning a trophy for me. It was a dream come true to see my son play in a live game.”

That was in Rio. With a contract waiting in Europe, the life of the Maia family is about to be transformed.

Contributed by Chris Beattie of TribalFootball.com