Midfielder Gilberto Silva, aged 25, with the five-time World Cup winner's cup in 2002 Personal Archive When talking about players from Minas Gerais who marked the history of World Cups, the list starts with none other than King Pelé, one of the greatest athletes of all time. And it continues with the stars Tostão, Piazza, Dadá Maravilha and Gilberto Silva. World champion with the Brazilian team in 2002, Gilberto Silva was considered one of the fundamental pieces for the fifth championship in Japan. Born in Vila Luciânia, city of Lagoa da Prata, in the Center-West of Minas Gerais, Gilberto faced his first obstacles while still off the field. This Saturday's Rolê nas Gerais, on TV Globo in Minas, also talks about football. The program shows the suburb’s passion for sport. Gilberto Silva's first job was on the farm, helping with the agricultural harvest. Before wearing the national team's shirt, he was also a capoteiro, a bricklayer's assistant and an employee at a candy factory in his hometown. Until he realized his childhood dream of professional football, Silva played for teams in the region. Among the teams, the team from the candy factory where he worked and the selection from the city of Lagoa da Prata. Remember in the video below Gilberto Silva's arrival in BH, after winning the World Cup: Registration of fans in BH the last time Brazil won the World Cup Player had to interrupt dream When he was in América Mineiro's youth ranks, Gilberto Silva faced one of the most difficult moments in his life. His mother got sick. And the player, who is the eldest son, decided to return home and help with family expenses and care. Gilberto then resumed his old job at the candy factory and temporarily left football in the background. When the situation in the family stabilized, Gilberto Silva decided to make one last attempt. And he managed to return to America at the age of 19. The bet paid off. From América, Silva went to Atlético Mineiro, where he gained national recognition. And, in 2002, at the age of 25, he was called up to the Brazilian team. And he became the absolute starter in the fifth world championship campaign in Japan. Gilberto Silva's childhood in the interior of Minas Personal file Gilberto Silva today Retired from the field, Gilberto Silva continues to be involved in football. The former midfielder works as an ambassador for FIFA, CBF and Arsenal, in the United Kingdom. And it also participates in institutional and social actions linked to sport. One of the most recent initiatives is the investment in a platform created in partnership with former full-back Roberto Carlos. The proposal is to bring athletes and fans closer together in the digital environment. At FIFA, Gilberto Silva is a member of the entity's select Technical Studies Group: responsible for analyzing trends, behaviors and improvements for world football. Bring on the World Cup! Gilberto Silva is part of the FIFA study group responsible for analyzing trends, behaviors and improvements for football. Personal Archive Most viewed videos from g1 Minas: