Ederson has backed Liverpool rival Alisson to win the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award, claiming his fellow Brazil international is “one step ahead” of him.
The Manchester City star has a chance to stake a claim for his place in the Selecao in friendly games against Colombia and Peru in the US this week.
Alisson is out of the squad after being injured whilst playing for Liverpool, giving Ederson a rare opportunity to add to his five caps.
Both keepers have made the three-man short-list for the FIFA award, along with Barcelona’s German international star Marc Andre ter Stegen.
Ederson joked that he would like to vote for himself, but then said: “I think these three were the best, but I see Alisson one step ahead - he made a great league season, won the Champions League and had a great Copa America too. Whoever wins will deserve it, and I'm glad that two Brazilian goalkeepers are competing for this award.”
Ederson was speaking in Miami, ahead of the Colombia game tomorrow night – Brazil then move on to Los Angeles to take on Peru on Tuesday.
Ederson has had a tough route to the top for club and country after being released by Sao Paulo as a 15-year-old and crossing the Atlantic to resurrect his career with Benfica.
“In these moments a movie goes through my head, of all the difficulties I've lived so far,” he said. “To train I took two buses, I did not have lunch and went straight to school. My life was dinner, and sleep.
“My father sacrificed himself and, even when he had a broken knee, worked to support his family. Even with a broken knee, he worked at Ceagesp (a warehouse company) so his children did not miss out.
“Many boys have the dream I had, and start from the bottom, and have problems growing up. I think it's good that the players tell the stories of how they overcame, because kids today give up easily - telling our story can encourage more children.”
