Nottingham Forest star John Victor felt that his Brazil national team call-up was a "scam" as he initially did not believe that Carlo Ancelotti had included him in the Selecao squad for the October friendlies at the last moment after ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson picked up a hamstring injury while playing for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig.
John Victor joined Forest from Botafogo
Victor left Brazilian giants Botafogo to sign for the Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window. So far in the 2025-26 campaign, the goalkeeper has made only one appearance for the English club, as he made his debut in the club's loss against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup third round last month. Victor was not expecting a national team call-up just two months after moving to England, but Ederson's hamstring injury prompted Ancelotti to include the 29-year-old at the last moment.
Advertisement(C)Getty Images"I thought it was a prank call"
After linking up with the national team, Victor chatted with , where he said, "For me, it was a unique and wonderful feeling. I was on my way to the game and I got the news on the bus. I was shocked. I thought it was a prank call. I didn't have (Sérgio) Dimas's number, I had worked with him at Santos, and he was the one who sent the message. They asked for my passport and I said: 'Wow, could this be a scam?'
"I don't know, the way the world is today… but then he said he was going to be called up, and I was really happy right then and there. I celebrated with Igor (Jesus) while we were going to the game against Newcastle. It was really cool."
Victor on cloud nine after maiden national team call-up
Victor further elaborated on the feeling of representing the national team, as he added: "It hasn't sunk in yet. I arrived here yesterday. Since I was called up, a lot of footage has been played of what I've been through and everything that's happened in my career, the ups and downs, the times I imagined the moment would come when I was still at Botafogo, in several preliminary call-ups. And it hasn't sunk in yet. I'm very happy, very content to be here. I just have to thank God a lot."
Getty ImagesMan Utd and West Ham wanted Victor before Forest move
After an impressive season in Brazil, where he helped Botafogo win the league title, Victor was in demand in the summer transfer window. Premier League giants Manchester United and West Ham were keen on signing the custodian, with the Red Devils in search of Andre Onana's alternative at that time. The goalkeeper, however, decided to sign for Forest. As Brazil face Asian giants South Korea and Japan in friendly matches on October 10 and 14, respectively, Victor will hope that Carlo Ancelotti allows him to take the field for the Selecao for the first time in his career in one of the two matches.