High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Denílson Pereira Neves, known simply as Denílson (born on 16 February 1988 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a Brazilian footballer who plays in midfield. He plays for English side Arsenal and was the former captain of the Brazil under-20 national team. Denílson is the second of four sons born to José Neves and Luciene Pereira. His father, José, is a former midfielder at Botafogo in North Brazil. However, he was forced to quit football in order to support his family. Once his family moved to São Paulo, José worked as a security guard for 15 years in order to support his wife and sons, but taught his children the game he loved. When Denílson turned 10, his mother died of a heart condition. Before she died she told Denílson that he would be a great footballer who would "make his dad and her very happy".