Tricked into spending 10 years in an orphanage

A former Manchester United player has opened up about his difficult childhood, revealing that his grandmother tricked him into spending 10 years in an orphanage. Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, also known as Bebe, was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for £7.4 million after being spotted at the Homeless World Cup in 2010. Despite the high-profile transfer, Bebe's career at Man Utd did not go as planned and he was eventually sold to Benfica in 2014.

Rags to riches tale ends in disappointment

Bebe's journey from a homeless shelter to playing for one of the biggest football clubs in the world seemed like a fairytale. However, the Portuguese attacker struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford and was labeled as one of the Premier League's biggest failures. Despite this, Bebe acknowledges the significance of even getting the opportunity to play for Man Utd given his difficult upbringing.

Grandmother's difficult choice

Bebe's grandmother made the difficult decision to place him in an orphanage after his two older brothers started getting into trouble. She tricked him into going there by initially telling him it was a holiday home. Bebe spent almost a decade in the orphanage, where he faced challenging situations but also formed strong bonds with the other children living there.

From the top to feeling lost

After signing his contract with Man Utd, Bebe admits that he felt overwhelmed and lost. The sudden transition from having nothing to being in the spotlight was a lot to handle. Meeting Sir Alex Ferguson was particularly shocking for him, but the experience did not translate into success on the football pitch.

A journey of ups and downs

Bebe's career has had its ups and downs since leaving Man Utd. He had brief loan spells at various clubs before eventually finding a home in Spain. He currently plays for Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga and has even represented Cape Verde at the international level.

Overall, Bebe's story serves as a reminder that success in football is not always a straight path and that one's upbringing can have a profound impact on their journey.