Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Casemiro will have to go without their favourite snacks from a Salford shop as they bid to win this summer’s World Cup with Portugal and Brazil.
These four players are among a growing number of high-profile footballers who regularly visit an unassuming Brazilian food store on Chapel Street, seeking a taste of home.
Mais Brasil Market has been fuelling Manchester City and United stars for a decade, with five-time Premier League winner Fernandinho, goalkeeper Ederson and Fred regularly stopping by in the early years to pick up produce from the South American nation.
They set the ball rolling as players from across the North of England soon found it hard to resist the scent of authentic Pão de queijo cheese bread and the sweetness of popular Amazonian soft drink Guarana.
“The footballers come in for food that reminds them of their childhoods, back on the streets of Brazil or Portugal,” said Julia Batista, a smiling joint-owner of the family-run shop. Behind her, Brazilian flags lined the counter, a figurine of Christ the Redeemer stood watch on a shelf and a canary yellow shirt signed by the women’s international team hung on the wall.
The 26-year-old is proud that her store helps to give people in Salford’s Brazilian community “a sense of home when they are missing their mum, dad or family” or are longing for a ray of South American sunshine in the Greater Manchester rain.
She described the feeling of helping people feeling homesick as “like hugging,” adding: “A lot of Brazilians live here by themselves, and we give them a family; we are not just a shop.”
Of the footballers in the Mais Brasil family, she picked out “nice guy” Fernandinho as one of her favourite customers.
“Fred, who used to play for Manchester United, would talk to you in a way that you couldn’t tell he was a footballer, he was so nice.
“Ederson has been our most loyal customer and came here regularly for many years when he played for Manchester City. He loved the cheese balls.”
Hanging Brazil flag bunting around the store ahead of the World Cup starting, swept up in the buzz and excitement surrounding the tournament which kicks off on Thursday evening, she could not hide her hopes for the five-time winners.
“We are always so excited and proud of our country,” she said joyfully. “If Brazil is playing, everyone stops, everyone goes to see the game together.”
Julia explained that Brazil are chasing “the Hexa,” which translates to the elusive “sixth” World Cup that has evaded the most successful footballing nation for 24-years.
While that drought pales in comparison to the 60 years of hurt suffered by England fans, she explained that her customers will be heartbroken if the Seleção slip up in the competition hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
“Brazil does something wrong, we get mad, people cry and get emotional,” she said.
The 2026 tournament is the largest ever, with 48 countries competing for glory in North America. Luckily, Julia’s affinity with her Portuguese shoppers means she will have a back-up team to support should Brazil suffer an early exit.
“When I watch football, it’s because I’ve met a few footballers and it’s so nice to interact with them. Usually, I’m cheering about the footballers more than the team itself. So, if Brazil is out, I’ll definitely cheer for Portugal,” she said.
Julia hopes that next time she sees some of her favourite football stars in her shop, they will have led her beloved Brazil to World Cup glory.
And what better way could there be to celebrate winning football’s most prestigious prize than washing down sumptuous cheesy bread spheres with a can of sweet Amazonian pop in the Salford drizzle?
More information about Mais Brazil Market can be found here.
