In a detailed interview, Lucas Veríssimo, the former Corinthians defender, disclosed the complex reasons behind his exit from the club, painting a picture of unfulfilled promises and a lack of respect.
Veríssimo expressed his discontent with the way Corinthians managed his situation, stating,
“I saw indifference and disrespect in the club’s attitude towards me. There were several promises made by football director Rubens Gomes that ended up not being fulfilled, leaving me in a state of uncertainty and disappointment.”
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Contrary to Veríssimo’s claims, Corinthians’ President Augusto Melo accused the player of procrastinating over his contract renewal. Veríssimo, however, refuted these claims, insisting that his intentions were always clear and sincere.
Veríssimo also highlighted financial disagreements with the club. “One of the major issues was that Corinthians did not pay me image rights, which is a significant part of a footballer’s income,” he revealed, underscoring the financial aspect of his grievances.
The allure of Al-Duhail’s sports project in Qatar was another key factor in Veríssimo’s decision to leave. He elaborated,
“The project in Qatar was very appealing to me. They presented a vision of growth and development in their league, and saw me as a player who could contribute to this evolution. This recognition and the potential for growth were very important to me.”
Broken promises and undervalued
Recounting a specific incident that symbolized the club’s approach, Veríssimo said, “There was a day when I was assured by Rubão that I would sign the contract in the afternoon. However, that afternoon, nothing happened. It was not just about not signing the contract; it was about how these promises were repeatedly made and then broken, which made me feel increasingly worried and undervalued.”
Veríssimo’s departure from Corinthians was not a decision made lightly but stemmed from a deep sense of being undervalued and disrespected. “As time passed and things didn’t materialize, I felt a growing disrespect towards myself. It wasn’t just about a contract; it was about feeling valued and respected, which I no longer felt at Corinthians,” he explained.
Kudos to fans
He also addressed the Corinthians fans, expressing his gratitude but also his regret over how things turned out. “I have great respect and appreciation for the Corinthians fans. We shared many good moments, and I’m thankful for their support. Unfortunately, the way my contract situation was handled didn’t reflect the best outcome for either party.”
Veríssimo remains optimistic about his future in football and his aspirations to return to the Brazilian national team. He believes his move to Qatar, a growing football hub, might provide him with the right exposure and opportunities.
