Wesley, at 23 years old, is preparing for the visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League with Roma, after a career that seems straight out of a movie. The full-back, who began his career at Figueirense and joined Tubarao in 2019, had to give up football for a year in 2020 and work in the parking lot of a restaurant. His sister encouraged him to return to the sport and, thanks to her motivation, Wesley returned to the fields, which opened the door to a second chance that took him to Serie A and now to the top continental competition.
Wesley's story goes back to 2016, when, at the age of twelve, he participated in a Real Madrid campus in Florianópolis. Through a scholarship for children with fewer resources, he received the opportunity to train for a week at the white club, although the trip did not materialize. Later, Sávio Bortolini, a former Real Madrid and Tubarao player, became his representative and encouraged him to try out for Flamengo. In just two days he surpassed the side and, in less than a month, he became a starter for the Rio club's under-20 team, where he accumulated 139 games and four goals with the first team before his transfer to Roma in July 2025.
The jump to Europe materialized after the trial with Flamengo, and in his debut in Serie A on August 24 he scored the winning goal against Bologna. That goal marked the beginning of a quick adaptation to Italian football, where Gasperini has used him on both the right and the left, depending on the team's needs. Wesley has recognized the need to improve his consistency and his balance between defensive and offensive tasks, but he feels comfortable with the tactical flexibility that the coach offers him.
In the Champions League, Roma needs depth on the wings and the ability to regain possession. Wesley will be key to meeting those demands, and Gasperini could rely on him both in defense and attack. The match against Real Madrid, which will be played at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, represents a symbolic moment for Wesley: ten years after the campus in Florianópolis and five years after leaving the parking lot, he will have the opportunity to face the club he once wanted to visit.
With five starts in Serie A and 420 minutes of play, in addition to one assist and 90 minutes in the Champions League, Wesley has shown that determination and family support can turn a fall into a rise. Now, the next meeting with Real Madrid will be the definitive test of his progress and the second opportunity that has allowed him to reach the top of European football.