Tottenham winger Lucas Moura has opened up on his tough upbringing in San Paulo and how football helped him avoid a criminal lifestyle like some of his close friends.
The 26-year-old grew up in a deprived community deep in the city but focused on football, rather than crime, in his teenage years.
'It was very difficult when I was young because there are problems with violence, gangs, guns, drugs - a criminal life,' he told the Evening Standard.
'I had friends that choose a criminal life. Some of them are in prison and some of them are dead. They chose the bad way.
'I played a lot of football in the street. My dream was to become a footballer - that's why I didn't go to the bad way. I always believed I could realise my dream and give another life to my family.'
Moura's winter switch from Paris to London to join Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham did not bear instant results.
The Brazilian was kept out of the firing line with Pochettino afforded a wealth of attacking options in Heung-min Son, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen.
But the £24.5million signing has broken into the side this campaign and has been the north London club's most consistent performer.
'The first five months was to adapt to the new life, the new championship, the new coach, a new country, a new club,' he added. 'Here the game is so dynamic, the intensity is so high. I hope I'm a little far from my best. I'm playing well but can do better.'
Two goals in the statement 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford saw him win a recall to the national side and there is a sense at Spurs that the best could still be yet to come from him.
For Lucas, the task is to continue to get among the goals and provide the ammunition for star striker Harry Kane.
Pochettino's side return to league action sees them involved in a London derby as they make the trip east to take on West Ham.
Manuel Pellegrini's side look to have arrested their early season slump and they comfortably beat Jose Mourinho's United side last time out at home.