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He may be short in stature, but Casemiro Ribeiro is causing big a frenzy in Brazil.

The 3ft 3ins 27-year-old is the star player for Gigantes do Norte - a dwarf team that are going a long way to combating size-based prejudice in the country.

Ribeiro, who has been nicknamed Wagner Love, after the former CSKA Moscow striker, is playing his part in a team that are beating rivals twice their size on traditional 11-a-side pitches.

Their games have been known to attract crowds of around 30,000 across Brazil, with fans eager to get a glimpse of the Gigantes' unique ability.

His teammates have also been given nicknames such as Lucio and Ronaldo, and their coach, Max Goiano, believes that they would be playing at the top level if they were taller.

"The strikers, the attacking midfielders and the fullbacks are all really good," he said. "If they had my stature, all of them, especially Wagner Love, they would be professionals.

"We have Wagner Love and Ronaldo and even Cafu who is 36 years old but has the lungs of a 20-year-old. The whole team is pretty good.

"We do a lot of work with the ball on the ground and we like to pass the ball in a nicer style. It also makes sense because given their stature there is no way of playing long balls up high."

Ribeiro revealed how his accomplishments with the Gigantes is helping to change the perception of how dwarfs are seen in Brazil.

He said: "My life has changed because at one point I was struggling to deal with prejudice in the streets. Now wherever I go I get compliments, wonderful compliments.

"I have so much pride to be here with these guys who I consider my brothers.

"I feel happy when I come here to play football. People are always surprised to see how good we are."

As well as being provided with a basic salary, the players are also helped to complete vocational courses with trades in carpentry and plumbing being readied for when their careers are over.