“Before the referee blew the whistle, I was looking for him in the stands and couldn’t see him. Then, at a corner, he started shouting my name and I saw him. Right then, I just thought, ‘I’m going to score, and I’m going to go straight to him.’”
Felipe Morais experienced a beautiful moment during Brazil’s 4-0 win over Indonesia at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™. After scoring his team’s third goal – his second of the tournament – the midfielder ran to hug his father, Elton, who had just arrived in Doha to watch his son play.
Amid the shouts of “I love you” and tears of joy, the celebration marked the highest point so far in a journey that began more than a decade ago.
“I still get goosebumps talking about it,” Elton admitted. “We’ve been doing this with him since he first started at six years old, travelling through small towns, taking him to play in tournaments when he was with our local team in Conselheiro Lafaiete.”
“Then, at nine, Cruzeiro came along,” said Elton. “The club went through tough times; in the second division with no money, we often had to share the team bus and everything else. I used to help with the bus and then drive in my own car just to be there.”
In Brazil’s World Cup opener, Felipe had already scored a lovely goal against Honduras. But his father hadn’t yet arrived in Qatar. This time, things were different. With his lucky charm nearby, the midfielder had an even greater reason to smile after finding the net against Indonesia.
“Scoring is always amazing,” said Felipe. “I was really happy with the finish and to be able to help the team. I always say he’s my lucky charm. Whenever he’s there, I play well. He and my whole family are my biggest inspiration. If I’m here, it’s mostly because of them.”
“When I hugged him, I told him I love him so much,” he said. “I shouted it. All I could think about was the happiness of having him there, watching me play in a World Cup. There’s no greater joy.”
Although he is just at the start of his career, Felipe has already travelled a long road in pursuit of his dream, which always demands a lot from young players like him. When he first started training with Cruzeiro, he was still living in Conselheiro Lafaiete, around 100 kilometres from Belo Horizonte. The long trips, three times a week, cost him far more than just time.
Once, by coincidence, he managed to return from training with his father, who also worked in Belo Horizonte. Watching his son eating a packed lunch in the car, Elton asked him a question that they both still clearly remember. “I saw all that effort and asked, ‘You’re nine years old and you don’t have a childhood anymore. Is this what you want for your life?’ And he said, ‘Yes.’”
That question never left him, serving as both support and discipline, always reminding Felipe of his dream and the work required to reach it. “We used to have this little game,” said the youngster. “We’d always try to work out, ‘How many kids would love to be in my place’. ‘You’ve got to work for it. Isn’t this what you chose to do? Keep working to stay at the top, to keep your place.’”
“My dad has always been my biggest supporter,” said Felipe. “He and all my family have backed me in every decision I’ve made in life, especially in choosing football. If it weren’t for them, I definitely wouldn’t be in the national team, nor at Cruzeiro. I might not even be playing football anymore.”
All the sacrifices that father and son have been through were captured in that emotional post-goal embrace. Their friendship, which is reaffirmed every Sunday at family barbecues and at every game, is what fuels Felipe’s football journey.
“It’s pure emotion. And it never stops, every day, every match, that same butterflies in the stomach. You don’t get used to it. At least not yet,” joked Elton.
“He’s my best friend. Whenever I need something, I can count on him. That happiness we shared after I scored is the same as every Sunday when we’re having a barbecue at home. A real father-and-son moment,” said Felipe.
“I’ve always dedicated all my goals to my family. Seeing them in the stands, wherever it is, watching me play – that’s my biggest motivation. Especially now, at a World Cup, with him here by my side. I was so happy we could have that moment.”
Photos courtesy of Nelson Terme/CBF
