'He was about to shoot me, I pushed him and he shot in the air... then the cop shot him': Tottenham star Emerson Royal tells of how he feared for his life in a gun fight at 3am at a nightclub in Brazil

Emerson Royal has revealed how he feared for his life after finding himself at the centre of a gunfight and attempted armed robbery in Brazil on Thursday night.

The 23-year-old left a nightclub in his home city of Sao Paulo at around 3am while on holiday in his native country and was with family and friends when a man pointed a gun at him and demanded his belongings.

At the time, the Tottenham star was taking photos with an off-duty police officer, who subsequently followed the armed man before drawing his gun and opening fire on the thief.

Twenty nine shots were reportedly fired at the assailant, one of which hit him in the back and UOL claim the thief underwent surgery on Friday morning to remove the bullet. 

The Brazil international meanwhile has already taken to Instagram to thank the officer and confirm he had escaped unhurt, while officials have said the expensive watch he was wearing in the picture taken with the police officer could be the reason why he was targeted.

But now in an interview with Sportv, Emerson has revealed how close he came to suffering serious and potentially life-threatening issues in the incident.

Emerson Royal has revealed how he feared for his life after finding himself at the centre of a gunfight

'At that moment, God controlled me in a way… because it felt like nothing was happening. I approached the bandit, saying ''calm down, calm down, everyone is calm, I'll give you what you want'',' Royal is quoted as saying by Sport Witness.

'When I give him what he wants, I approach him, because I'd already seen his evil look. I saw that he wasn't just for the watch.

'When I hand it to him, he walks away and unlocks his gun to shoot me. When he's about to shoot me, I pushed him, slap the gun and he shoots in the air. He fired. 

'It was at that moment, when I pushed him, that he loses his balance and the cop shoots him. Then when he hits the shot, the rush starts.

'I say, it's God at the moment. Because we were in a square, there were 15 people more or less. In a small square. And he starts shooting everywhere and doesn't hit anyone. He fired 17 or 19 shots, if I'm not mistaken. 

'He had a gun that was a 9mm, if I'm not mistaken, semi-automatic. It's a weapon that is not normal for a bandit, nor a policeman. 

'Then I understood that it was a moment that could cost me my life, but it served as a lesson for me to be careful in several situations. And I'm calm now.'

Royal had been out partying at New Trips nightclub, which is located on Paulista Avenue - one of the longest roads which runs through the middle of Sao Paulo.

And a day after the incident, he posted on his Instagram story thanking the officer, writing: 'God sends angels to Earth, this is being confirmed every day in my life. This human being I call an angel risked his own life to save mine... I will forever be grateful to you!! 

'You are essential to me being here today!! Thank you, thank you and thank you. (This photo was moments before the event, where he said he was my fan and asked for a photo with me).'

The player's father told Globo Esporte soon after the incident: 'I was celebrating and on the way out, this whole affair happened, which was very bad. A horror scene indeed. I don't wish that on anyone. 

'He [the policeman] went, as usual, with Royal to the car and when he realized there was a robbery and the criminal was pointing the gun at Emerson, at the time the criminal got distracted, the policeman started to exchange shots with him. 

'There were around five or six people with him. Each one went to a side running, dodging, because they didn't know where the shots were coming from.'  

The Brazilian has just completed his first season at Spurs following a £25.8million move from Barcelona last summer.

He made 41 appearances in all competitions under the leadership of Nuno Espirito Santo and then Antonio Conte in 2020-21 as Spurs qualified for next season’s Champions League.

He was not selected by Tite for his country's 1-0 victory against Japan in the week, but the seven-cap Brazil international said last month: 'My dream is to go to the World Cup. 

'It's my biggest goal and there's no point in hiding it. It is my childhood dream. Things have happened very fast but I think what counts is maturity and the will to play. I have a lot of both.

'I have to deliver on club level to be in Tite's squad at the end of this year and I've been doing that. I believe I'm improving and will keep improving with Conte's management, too.'