I’m a former Man Utd star who rubs Kaka’s lucky shorts before every big game – I cried when he spoke to me on the phone

FULHAM midfielder Andreas Pereira has revealed that he sometimes rubs a pair of Kaka’s shorts on his legs before a big match.

Pereira, 27, joined Fulham in a £13million transfer from Manchester United last year and has since become a fan favourite.

GettyAndreas Pereira has revealed he rubs Kaka’s shorts on his leg before a match[/caption]

Getty Images – GettyKaka gave the midfielder his shorts after a match between Man Utd and Real Madrid[/caption]

The midfielder had spent 10 years with United after joining the club’s academy at the age of 16.

And he recently recalled the time he and some team-mates were asked to be ball boys for a first-team match.

Pereira, who switched his international allegiance from Belgium to Brazil as a teenager, was a huge fan of Real Madrid legend Kaka.

The Fulham star admitted he asked the Brazilian for his shirt during a match between the Red Devils and Los Blancos, but ended up with his shorts instead.

During an interview with ESPN Brazil, Pereira said: “It was a Champions League match between Manchester and Real Madrid and I was a ball boy.

“Alex Ferguson asked the U21 and U18 players if they wanted to be ball boys, because he needed the ball quicker and so on.

“After the game, I waited and saw Kaka. I asked for his shirt, but he said he’d already changed. Then I said: anything then, a sock, shorts, I don’t know.

“He said he had a pair of shorts, I said it would do. He gave it to me, it was incredible, and the shorts are still in a safe to this day.”

Pereira went on to reveal that he rubs the shorts on his legs for confidence before a big game, adding: “Every now and then, before an important game, I go and get them to give me confidence, to rub on my leg.”

The midfielder then admitted that he cried when speaking to Kaka properly for the first time – just a few weeks ago.

He added: “Two weeks ago, I was at Willian’s house and he asked me who I really admired. I said I’d always liked Kaka a lot, because of his style of play, he was an example to me.

“He said he knew Kaka and said he was going to ring him. I thought: he must be joking. I kept quiet, it put me off.

“He called, I heard his voice and I couldn’t stand it, I cried. I spoke to him, to this day I can’t believe I spoke to Kaka. Everyone was in shock.

“Kaka even said that when he came here we were going to do something, and I joked with Willian: don’t even call me, I’ll freeze at the table.

“He’s always been an idol to me, I’ve always liked his style. A very special person.”

Pereira has made 47 appearances for Fulham since joining the club last summer, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.

PAThe Fulham midfielder also admitted that he cried when speaking to Kaka[/caption]