Felipe Anderson discusses his tough childhood, Neymar friendship | OneFootball

Felipe Anderson was determined to make his footballing dreams a reality, despite growing up in deep poverty in Santa Maria, a district just outside the capital of Brasília.

Being the youngest of five, the Brazilian often got the short end of the stick.

“A difficult childhood, but a happy one,” Anderson told BBC.

“There were times when we didn’t have enough food on the table.

“When it came to the end of the month, I could see my parents were sad because they were unable to give us the best.

“They had lots of debts. Sometimes they had arguments about it.”

Though he could not afford football boots, the 25-year-old did not let that get in the way of his success.

“That was not something I saw as an obstacle. If it meant I had to borrow boots from friends so be it.

“I take strength from that now. It has helped me to keep my feet on the ground and remain humble and also have a drive to help others because I know there are so many people in difficult situations.”

After going through six football academies, the West Ham attacker finally made it to one of Brazil’s top clubs, Santos, where he would turn professional in 2010.

Fast forward nearly a decade later, Anderson was purchased from Lazio over the summer for €38m.

Though he has only earned one cap with the national team, a seven-minute cameo back in 2015, he is good friends with Brazilian superstar Neymar.

“Neymar is a such a joker. He is always making people laugh. He loves his music and he loves winding people up.

“He has always been like that and he is not going to change.

“If we are somewhere and there is no pitch, he will get on a table and encourage us to play a table-tennis style game with a football, two-on-two.

“He loves laughing and messing about.”

Felipe Anderson and West Ham return to the pitch on Friday when they host London-rivals Fulham.