Brazil has won five World Cup titles, but for one family of Brazilians the five is one short.
Fourteen Da Silva family members were born with six fingers on both hands and six toes on both feet due to a rare genetic condition known as polydactyly.
The Da Silva’s who live close to Brasilia, the capital, are proud of the additional digits they have and believe they can help cheer on the team to victory next month in the finals of the World Cup.
One of the sons in the Da Silva family has the jersey No. 10 wore by the former star of Brazil Pele and now worn by Neymar the current star of the national team in Brazil.
The family says that having six fingers has helped to play soccer. They can hold the ball easier as their hands are larger than others are and easier to play goal.
The first member of the family that was recorded as having six fingers was their great grandmother Joao.
Some surviving family members who are female with the genetic trait had a sixth toe removed so they could fit their feet into women’s shoes, but the men have not followed suit.
The family does not feel discriminated against as their grandmother says members of the family born without the six digits are the one that feel they are left out.
One of the members of the family said that their father always looked at the six digits as being natural for them and that those with five fingers were the ones that were unnatural.
Brazil has started the World Cup well with two wins and a draw and has moved into the final 16 that started next week.
During each match, the family crosses its fingers and toes to help support the national team.
Sounds like Brazil is receiving an advantage other teams are not.
