Ricardo Prasel grew up in Brazil, where like many kids, he had dreams of becoming a professional football player. Prasel was a talented goalkeeper. He started playing at age five, then went to Atletico Paranaense when he was 14. He was transferred to Joinville, Juventus-SP, and then hit the peak of his soccer career at age 18 when he was signed by Chelsea FC.
However there things took a turn for the worse and a chronic hip injury made him retire at age 22.
After traveling back to Brazil as a retired goalkeeper, Prasel decided to go to college and started training jiu-jitsu as a way to stay in shape and also help his hip injuries. His coach immediately saw talent, and it didn’t take long for him to start winning grappling tournaments.
Prasel spoke to MMA Fighting saying:
”Even if not for a long time, stepping a foot on the Chelsea field and seeing so many stars was a dream come true,” Prasel told MMA Fighting. “Fighting [across the world] now is as incredible as playing for Chelsea. I saw the world through both sports.”
”When I started in jiu-jitsu I had no intention to become a professional,” he continued. “I started in college and trained jiu-jitsu for fun, but things started to happen. Leaving a sport and get to this level in another one is sensational. My family is proud of me, my father would be proud of me. It’s awesome.”
Prasel will make his return to the cages Saturday night, facing Alisson Vicente in the main event of Imortal FC 10 in Curitiba, Brazil.
