The first half of Brazil's friendly against Croatia was approaching stoppage time with the score still 0-0. Matheus Cunha played the ball to Vinicius Junior, who broke through the defense before squaring it to the penalty spot. Waiting there was Danilo, facing the moment countless players dream of.
In that instant, the midfielder felt transported from Orlando back to the Fazenda Coutos neighborhood of Salvador, where he first learned to play football. Without adjusting his stride, he calmly lifted the ball into the top corner, scoring his first goal for the Brazilian national team.
The 25-year-old Botafogo midfielder is racing against time to secure his place in Brazil's final squad, which will be announced on May 18. After an impressive substitute appearance against France, he earned a starting spot in the next match. Danilo had previously been called up under Tite, and now under Ancelotti's watch, he hopes this will be his moment to shine at the World Cup, representing the dreams of his community and his country.
