Tell us a bit about the importance of expressing yourself, with fashion, clothes, and different looks?

I keep track of NBA players, how they arrive at their games and I’m a big fan of people in the US, so every day I fall more in love with fashion, and I like being well-dressed. I think it’s important to everyone, and it’s something I care a lot about.

In terms of inspiration, I also like what Lewis Hamilton is about, as a sportsperson I’m a fan of outside of football. He’s a guy I like to keep track of, who takes care of himself and is always on point.

Do you think there are other people and players who start their own fashion trends?

Oh yeah, there’s loads of basketball players, LeBron James for example. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho both have their own unique styles, and as time goes on, players are getting far more in tune with the fashion scene. It’s something I’d like to develop in my time off the pitch – Whenever I can go to a Fashion Week I do, and I have a real passion for it, anything within

the fashion world. I love taking part. I used to have a stylist to guide my clothing choices and keep me on-trend. It’s something I really enjoy.

When did that passion for fashion first develop?

It was right after I arrived in Europe. There’s a different style in Europe, and I was hooked almost as soon as I got here. I was in France and would always tell my friends that people in France are always well-dressed and that’s why they’re such leaders in fashion. I love it, and I want to get more and more into the world and tuned into fashion.

I have a lot of clothes but more trainers than clothes. I love trainers, and Nike certainly help with that passion.

Do you see football shirts coming on-trend like basketball shirts?

Oh for sure. In Brazil especially, people love them – you see people wearing football shirts out a lot. I can’t, right? [laughs] I wear a Real Madrid or Brasil shirt so often so I’m not too keen on wearing a football shirt when I go out. But people in Brazil do, and it definitely seems to be extending out across the globe as well. I haven’t really seen people wearing them here as much yet though, but in Brazil, anywhere you go you’re going to see people wearing a team shirt.

Can you compare Spanish and Brazilian styles?

I prefer the Brazilian style because people who make an effort wear a shirt and people in Brazil don’t wear shirts very often. When I wear a shirt it’s to go to the very special event or special meeting. If not, I’ll just wear my own style.

The importance of music to you and the artists you listen to most?

Music is huge for me. I really like reggaeton, so lots of reggaeton singers would make my favourites list, but there’s others from Brazil too. I have lots of friends in Brazil who are singers, so it makes it easy. I’ve got quite a broad taste in music though, and I like a bit of everything. I like some American artists, Travis Scott and Drake are obvious ones, I appreciate their music a lot.

But in Brazil, if I had to pick favourites it would probably be Thiaguinho, Ludmilla they’re my favourites.

The last one…What are your dreams now that you’ve achieved success?

Oh, I’m always looking ahead, the next goal and step up, is obviously the World Cup. I can’t wait. I’m so excited it’s nearly here, and happy it’s just around the corner, so I can fulfil my dream of playing in the tournament.