A Brazil Under-15 squad assembled by Paulo Victor Gomes – now the assistant manager of Wednesday’s opponents Club America – gathered in Paraguay to contest the South American U15 Championship.

In Brazil’s ranks were two young men by the name of Andrey Santos and Angelo Gabriel. Together, they would help the world’s most famous football nation reclaim the prestigious Under-15 title by beating Argentina, the reigning champions and their great rivals, in the final.

A friendship for life was formed, and the intertwining of careers began. ‘We were always together, chatting and then we went back to our clubs, we kept tabs on each other,’ says Angelo of those early days.

Fast forward a few years, and Andrey and Angelo sit side by side, together again, for this interview. They now represent the same club team, albeit one a long way from Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, where they cut their footballing teeth.

‘I came first to Chelsea,’ says Andrey, who agreed his deal from Vasco da Gama in January 2023.

‘Then, when I saw Angelo was coming too, I was really happy. We have played together since we were 15 years old, we have a connection and a strong bond and so I was happy and looking forward to being able to play with him here at Chelsea. I’m thrilled it’s happened.’

Angelo continues the story.

‘After a few games at Santos, I became aware Chelsea were interested and then Andrey and I spoke about the club, what it was like, the structure and I was happy and liked the sound of it,’ he says.

‘So, I accepted the offer because it’s a big club, a club of your dreams, a club that plays in the best league in the world, a club with massive history.

‘And then, of course, Thiago being here, we aspire to be like him,’ Angelo adds.

‘He is an idol to us and our country. He is a reference point. It was also a dream to be able to play with him, learn from him. Setting aside the club’s history and greatness, we are happy to be at this club that has offered us all the support we need to do what we love, which is play football.’

Playing football is something both have done for as long as they can remember, all the way back to when they were just three or four years old. Such was their natural talent it didn’t take long for them to catch the eye of Vasco and Santos.

Prior to joining Chelsea, both players achieved great things at their boyhood clubs at a remarkably young age. For Andrey, that meant playing an integral role in Vasco’s promotion back to the top flight of Brazilian football.

‘I’m so happy to have been able to debut so young, at 17 and score quite a few goals, which is important. If I’m not mistaken, in that campaign I managed to score eight goals. I’m very happy to have become a record for the club during that tournament and to have helped Vasco da Gama make a comeback in Brazilian football, which was the most important objective for us.’

Angelo, meanwhile, became the youngest player in the history of the Brazil national championship when he made his debut against Fluminense in the Maracana, aged just 15 years and 308 days.

‘It was a very significant and special day for me,’ he smiles.

‘Honestly, I really didn’t expect it because it happened very early for me and I managed to overtake Pele in that respect. It was something that not even in my wildest dreams I would have thought could happen.

‘But as I always say, we have to be ready for anything; anything that is put in front of us and that’s what we train for, momentous days like these. I’m so happy for this and it’s something I will always hold close in my heart.’

Angelo and Andrey were reunited at Strasbourg last season, with both enjoying successful loans, and are looking to follow in the footsteps of the many esteemed Brazilian Blues before them.

‘We are happy, we enjoy our time here, we want to evolve every day, and we are motivated, because our dream is to be here at Chelsea,’ says Angelo.

His Blues brother Andrey nods in agreement. After five years of close friendship, there is no doubt Angelo and Andrey Santos are on the same page.