When Palmeiras midfielder Patrick de Paula walks out for the Copa Libertadores final against Santos at the Maracana Stadium on Saturday, Celtic can claim some of the credit.
21-year-old De Paula, who just goes by Patrick in Brazil, grew up learning the game in a hooped jersey donated by the Premiership champions to a community project in the Mario Lombardi neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro.
Today that project is known as Mario Lombardi Celtic, a partnership that has being going for 15 years since when members of a supporters club in Rio de Janeiro made the first donation in 2006.
The supporters club then organised a visit to a local community football academy, and it was only a matter of time before the Parkhead club got involved, agreeing to ship kits over to South America.
Rio Celtic president Jimmy Dunnet said: "What we would get was discontinued stock from the Celtic shop.
"There might have been an order of a full set of strips for a wee team and then cancelled, we would get that. Or stock that hadn't sold when they moved on from brand A to brand B.''
Local fans frequently bring over bags full of official club gear including away and third kits. And one year, a printing error meant the whole team played with number six with fearsome defender Bobo Balde's name printed on the back, one of the star players from Martin O'Neill 's legendary UEFA Cup finalists.
Patrick grew up nearby and was a regular on the community's astroturf pitch by the age of seven. His talent, said coach and organiser Gerson Oliveira, was obvious.
He said: "We had to polish him of course but he knew how to shield the ball, he had a great left foot, he was a class above. It was like he was born with a ball at his feet.''
Patrick, who earned the nickname Pelezinho, or little Pele, moved through the ranks, usually playing in the age category above his own, and caught the eye of Rio club Botafogo. He later ended up at Palmeiras, where he made his debut in January 2020.
He is now part of a potent young guard at the Sao Paulo club. Danilo, 19, and Gabriel Menino, 20, play alongside him in midfield, while Gabriel Veron, 18, is a pacy winger.
All four are expected to feature in Saturday's all-Brazilian Libertadores final, a mouthwatering Maracana showpiece against Santos.
"This is a unique moment, the moment I've always waited for,'' Patrick said.
"This is a dream for me and for the school where I trained and a dream for all the community. I hope all the community are all tuned in on Saturday at 5pm for the final of the Libertadores.''
Community soccer school coach Gerson has turned down an invitation to watch the match at Patrick's family home, believing the player turned his back on his roots and mentors.
But the kids at Mario Lombardi are aware of their predecessor's rise and will be cheering for Palmeiras, as will Gerson, although his real love is now in Glasgow.
"This shirt is our second skin,'' Gerson said of his Celtic jersey. "We're not Vasco or Flamengo, we're all Celtic here, we live and breathe Celtic now. I am a Flamengo fan but I have become more of a Celtic fan."
