Slumdogs and Millionaires: Football stars meet children from Rio slums



Posted Tuesday, June 10, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

ENGLAND’S football millionaires got an “eye-opener” into their “privileged lives” when they met children in a crime-ridden Rio slum.

Slumdogs and Millionaires: Football stars meet children from Rio slums
HOT SHOTS: Danny Welbeck, left, and Daniel Sturridge in Rio yesterday

Adam Lallana, 26, Jack Wilshere, 22, Danny Welbeck, 23, and goalkeeper Fraser Forster, 26, took time off from World Cup training to visit the streets of the poverty-stricken Rocinha favela where shootings happen daily and locals earn just £1 a day.

The players were protected by armed security as they arrived at the Complexo Esportivo, a multi-sport venue on the outskirts of the shanty town and just a mile from the team’s Royal Tulip hotel.

Arsenal midfielder Wilshere, dad of Archie, two, and nine-month-old Delilah, said: “I’ve got kids myself. It is an eye-opener. We are in Brazil. It is good to get out and see this sort of thing. We lead privileged lives. In England and Brazil all the kids love football.’’

Clutching a washbag containing a photo of his one-year-old son Arthur, Southampton midfielder Lallana, 26, added: "Anything we can give back to put smiles on the kids’ faces is a good cause.’’

The players were greeted by a 28-strong troop of dancers on a rooftop soccer pitch.

Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge, 24, then wowed youngsters with their own acrobatic moves.

They performed high kicks and handstands as they tried the traditional capoeira martial art, which combines elements of dance and acrobatics.

Slumdogs and Millionaires: Football stars meet children from Rio slums
CHEERS: A thank you message to Brazil but, right, security is everywhere

Sturridge even joined a local girl in an inpromptu samba dance.

The players then watched a football tournament featuring players as young as five from the slum.Slumdogs and Millionaires: Football stars meet children from Rio slums

Welbeck said afterwards: “I’m really feeling the vibe of the country. It was great to see kids doing all their different stuff and really enjoying their lives.’’

Forster added: “This is a fantastic experience. It’s just something completely different. It has been great to see the kids’ faces and how happy they look. It is something very special.”

FA technical director Sir Trevor Brooking, 65, said he was delighted to see Welbeck and Sturridge joining in – but admitted he was “relieved” they emerged unscathed.

The players have donated a five-figure sum to help the sports centre develop.

Their visit was designed to inspire local youngsters to follow their football dreams.



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