Lucas Felix, more commonly known as Maciel, joined the inaugural Revolution II squad in January when he inked his first professional contract. The youngster signed with New England after developing for more than a decade in the storied Botafogo F.R. Academy in his native Brazil. In his limited preseason action thus far, Maciel has already shown the speed and playmaking ability to be a dangerous asset in League One. Let’s learn more about the Brazilian midfielder.

1. From a Young Age

Maciel first joined the Botafogo Academy at age 10, spending 10 seasons rising through the club’s youth ranks, culminating with a full season playing for the Botafogo U-20 side last year. The midfielder played 32 games across all competitions for the U-20s, totaling over 2,000 minutes, including 18 appearances in the 2019 U-20 Campeonato Brasileiro.

2. Already a Champion

Only 20, Maciel already brings a championship pedigree to New England. The midfielder was part of the Botafogo U-17 team that won the Rio Cup title a few years ago. Maciel was a key member of that squad, featuring at both attacking midfield and on the wings. The title was his last one as a member of the Botafogo Academy, as his team fell short in the most recent campaign, but he still looks back fondly on his final year as a youth player and the many great memories he made.

3. First Time Abroad

The Brazilian’s arrival to the United States marks his first time living or playing outside of his home country. He says it was a time to experience new things and look for new challenges, and living in the Boston area has brought plenty of both for the native Portuguese speaker. Maciel’s biggest challenge in his new home is to learn English, but he has already started taking classes online to accelerate the process.

4. Why the Revolution?

Maciel chose to sign with Revolution II after a thoughtful choice made alongside his family, and according to the Rio de Janeiro native, so far it has proven to be a great decision. The 5-foot-6 midfielder’s first impression in his brief time with Revolution II is that the club can help him develop as an athlete and as a person. According to Maciel, from his first day at the club, everyone in the organization has helped ease the transition so that he can adapt and feel at home, despite new cultural and language barriers.

Here are some more fun facts about Maciel:

Favorite Athlete: Andres Iniesta
Favorite Food: Chicken Stroganoff
Favorite Movie: White Chicks
Favorite Superhero: Black Panther
Animal you identify with the most: Dog
If you could be anything besides a pro soccer player, what would it be: Businessman
If a movie was made about you, which actor would you choose to play yourself: Chris Rock