11 – Diego Souza: Applause for the Supervisor and the Coach: Stories, History, Facts, Cases and “Causos”

11 – Diego Souza: Applause for the Supervisor and the Coach

The Island of Governador was a hotbed of star players, Nilton Santos, Nilson Santos, Brito and Roberto Carlos, there were many good fields, clubs and teams.

After playing soccer for Esporte Clube Cocotá, a group of friends formed an indoor soccer team, the “Mechanical Banana” plagiarizing the “Clockwork Orange” the Dutch Carousel”, which played on Monday nights and filled the club that only opened for that event, having been undefeated for more than 2 (two) years, challenged by great teams and good players.

You can have your story, our Mechanical Banana…

From that group was formed another, larger, broader spectrum, including Friends-Players from other clubs on the Island: Santa Rita, Royal, Zumbi, Guarabu, Vila Panamericana (from which Marquinho came) and others. It was a group of pelada, initially we played in a square in Jardim Guanabara, then Varig’s Leisure Area, Sergeants and Officers of the Air Force and Infraero where they played for a long time, and it was there that the appearance of an islander who took the name of the Island overseas: Diego Souza.

At 7 o’clock the two teams of the first pelada were already complete, but the game only started at 8, because it was served great coffee, prepared by Cidinho, Botafoguense, Goalkeeper and great collaborator, then the second pelada, where those who arrived later played. Finally, a lunch washed down with beer, 5 (five) boxes per Saturday, which gave the name to Grupo da Pelada, Ala da União da Ilha and Banda: Enemies of the Drink! It still exists!

The group got older and the children started to show up… On one of the many Saturdays, I saw Marquinho’s son play, he was about 14 years old and playing in the middle of veterans, even so he showed physical and technical performance that drew attention, barefoot, ran everywhere, defended, gave assists and scored goals. On a day off for my brother Jairo Leal, on vacation in Brazil, I called him to see the boy Diego, son of Marquinhos (a great player and a great guy), because I trusted his clinical eye, much more refined than mine. Without knowing that we were watching him, the young man, still thin, good height, bare big feet, showed his qualities and talent. We then recommended him to our friend and mentor Prof. Ênio Ricardo Farias, Supervisor of the Youth Categories of Fluminense F.C. in Rio.

Once a date was set for the test, we notified Father and Son of the opportunity, who went to the location on the scheduled day and time. After the training, Professor Ênio called us saying that the young islander was not doing well, that the Assistant Coach recommended his release, but he, the Supervisor, with all his experience, insisted that a new opportunity be given to the player, because the one who had indicated him was from the branch and had seen him play (even if among older and without boots). The Father himself told us that his son did not really train well, but was told to return the next day, unaware of the details of the conversation between the Supervisor and the Assistant Coach. In the next training session, the Head Coach, I think Robertinho, was the one who led the activity, returning from a business trip. At the end of the training, impressed with the qualities of the young Diego, he immediately had it registered.

Incredible, one day almost dismissed (if it weren’t for the sensitivity of the Supervisor) the next, approved immediately! Some possible careers may not have materialized due to similar situations, as some give up when they are cut out.

Thank God it happened like that and Brazilian Football gained a great player, very strong, skillful and a goalscorer. He started playing always with 2 (two) years before the limit of the category, as a midfielder, he was advanced closer to the opponent’s goal, as an attacking midfielder and finally a striker, attack commander and scorer, reference. He played in several big Brazilian clubs, in the 4 (four) of Rio (rare), in Benfica of Portugal and in the Brazilian Youth and Senior National Teams.

As soon as I remember the “case”, without pretense of belittling anyone, just so that Coaches, Assistants and Supervisors always have attention, patience, read between the lines and perceive the occult. As for the young players, let them persevere, insist, make the best use of every opportunity, because they can change your destiny, that of your Family and the Community.

There is a player who lifted the World Cup who was released, dismissed and/or failed 9 tests, until the 10th. he was approved (in one of the ones he had been to before) and made it to the National Team.

Stories… Nothing more! If anyone can help… I pay myself for the task.

Congratulations, Marquinho and Wife! Your support was key.

Maktub, Diego Souza, it was written, if not, now it is! Sorry for any mistake, as soon as I remember!

Diego de Souza Andrade, known as Diego Souza, was born on June 17, 1985, in Rio de Janeiro.

Clubs where he played: Fluminense (twice), Flamengo, Benfica, Grêmio twice), Palmeiras, Atlético Mineiro, Vasco da Gama, Al Itthad, Cruzeiro, Metalist Kharkiv, Sport Recife (twice), São Paulo and Botafogo.