FC Bayern World Squad: Heitor Almeida introduces himself

Friday’s match against Jeju SK will be the first big task for the FC Bayern World Squad Class of ’26 on this year’s trip. The talents look back on an intense first phase full of new impressions. Under the auspices of head coach Roy Makaay and assistant Diego Contento, they didn’t only complete their first few training sessions but also settled into a new environment and grew together as an international team. Brazilian midfielder Heitor Almeida talks about his time in Germany and the last few days in South Korea in an interview.

Please introduce yourself briefly: How old are you, where are you from and for which club do you play in your home country?

“Hello everyone, my name is Heitor, I’m 16 years old and was born in Cuiabá, Brazil. I currently play for Sfera FC in Santana de Parnaíba.“

Heitor, why did you apply for the FC Bayern World Squad and what does it mean to you to be part of such an international project?
“I applied for the FC Bayern World Squad because I know how important this project is for FC Bayern and its global presence. Maycon Cardozo is a good example of it. Participation means a whole lot to me personally – it’s a childhood dream to be so close to one of the world’s biggest clubs.”

What are your goals and expectations for this project?
“My goal is to show what I’ve got on and off the pitch, to stand out and to improve as best I can. I want to get closer to my dream of being a top player – just like Coutinho or Zé Roberto at FC Bayern.”

How were your first days in Munich? How did you settle in and how have the team dynamics developed?
“The first days in Munich were very nice. I quickly settled into the city, the culture and I got to know my teammates. The team dynamics in particular are very positive: everyone’s polite and respectful, both on and off the pitch. I think we’re growing closer and closer as a team.”

What has been your most exciting experience so far?
“FC Bayern Basketball’s final at SAP Garden has impressed me the most. I’d never watched a basketball match live and I really enjoyed it.”

As every year, the team consists of players of very different backgrounds. What are the biggest challenges, and how do you tackle them?

“The communication with my teammates isn’t a problem, we’ve all prepared well for it. I don’t think cultural differences are an obstacle either because we treat one another with a lot of respect, which makes living together easy.”

Looking back on your first days in South Korea, what differences have struck you the most compared to your home country?
“I think how educated the people here are is particularly positive. You also notice in everyday life how tidy and clean everything is here.”

What are you looking forward to the most in South Korea?
“I’m really looking forward to the time in South Korea because it’s such a beautiful country with a fascinating culture. It’s also the country that hosted the 1988 Olympic Games. Romário was one of the top scorers there – a great Brazilian player, my father always talked a lot about him.”

Heitor is looking forward to the next few weeks with great motivation. His first impressions in Germany and South Korea show how special the trip with the FC Bayern World Squad is. Now the 16-year-old wants to take his next steps on the pitch too.

You can follow the entire journey of the FC Bayern World Squad Class of ‘26 in our blog and on Instagram @fcbayernpathway.