LOST HIS DAD AGED NINE BECAME A FATHER AT 14 RIGHT LEG SHORTER THAN LEFT …AND PRINCE WILLIAM LOVES HIM
Aston Villa’s record signing is 6ft 3in tall, weighs 15 stone and has just 6.9 per cent body fat. For once, in our life, however, FourFourTwo isn’t scared: the imposing figure ushering us into his Birmingham city flat quickly turns out to be one of the most laid-back and cheerful footballers we’ve met. As soon as Wesley Moraes opens his door, he bursts into laughter.
The Brazilian has been like this since the Villans forked out £22 million to sign him from Club Brugge, amid a big summer of transfer to-ing and fro-ing. Twelve new signings arrived at Villa Park following their play-off final victory in May – but none came with expectations quite like Wesley, the sole striker.
He’s only just turned 23, although the Minas Gerais native is used to being relied upon. His soft-spoken nature belies a tough life rivalled by few in football: aged nine, he lost his father to a stroke; by 14 he was a father himself, and within two years another kid was on the way.
Fatherhood meant new responsibilities, and back then football was a distant dream. With too much on his plate, he worked in a screw factory to help provide for his children.
Wesley’s upbeat mood reflects that of a man who has made it after overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It has been a while since he left the production line, but he hasn’t forgotten those days: in his wallet he carries his Work Card, a document owned by Brazilian workers from the age of 16. “It helps to remind me how tough my life was back then,” he says, reflecting on an astonishing life story which has now brought him to his dream destination.
“When I first moved to this flat, I spent a lot of time looking at Villa Park,” smiles Wesley, pointing to the telescope in his living room. “I imagined how good the atmosphere would be with that stadium packed. And when I first played at Villa Park – wow! The fans don’t stop singing for 95 minutes. It’s amazing.”
Poverty, imprisoned family members and a about a remarkable life now spent wowing Prince William…
