Following Flamengo’s victory over Millonarios to make the last 16 in the 2024 CONMEBOL Libertadores, David Luiz surprised everyone by expanding on his answer when asked about the pressure surrounding Mengao this season.
The 37-year-old, who has had a long career in Europe along with several years of experience at the Brazilian national team, went further and explained that, from his point of view, there’s a global problem that prevents people from enjoying life.
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“I think it’s a global problem. We are living in a time where people are anxious, depressed. People are impatient and no longer have patience for anything. Where, unfortunately, sadness is prevailing more than joy. And in sports, people are allowing the ‘but,’ the B-U-T, to exist many times. ‘This is a very good team, but… This player is very good, but… My life is good, but… My job is good, but…’ That ‘but’ makes people stop seeing what they can enjoy,” said the former Chelsea and PSG defender.
Expanding on his idea, David Luiz recalled the natural disaster in Rio Grande do Sul as an example of the importance of valuing what one has.
“For me, it goes much further in this part of life and living every day and being thankful to God. We had an example in Rio Grande do Sul, where from one day to the next, you can have nothing. And the people who have everything are letting the ‘but’ blind them from everything they have. And in football, it’s the same. We, as players of a great club, must understand it in this way and see it naturally. And know that we will always give our best on the field,” he added.
Que partida, meu zagueiro! #VamosFlamengo
📸 Gilvan de Souza / CRF pic.twitter.com/ryO842AeXI
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) May 29, 2024
David Luiz on Flamengo’s current situation
The Rubro-Negro has faced criticism so far this year for their irregular start to the season, especially at the continental level, where they finished second in Group E behind Bolívar.
“My wish is that we always play in the best way, with results of five, six, seven to zero, with everyone happy, but that’s not the reality. We have to have flexibility and maturity to accept being criticized and grow. When it’s time to speak, you have to speak; when it’s time to be quiet, you have to be quiet. These are moments of growth, but never stop showing up and facing what we have been given, which is a great challenge and also a great gift: representing Flamengo,” stated David Luiz.
“We represent one of the biggest clubs in the world, and whoever wears this shirt must always see that it is a club with life, not just any club. In a club with life, you exist in countless moments, but you must always try to survive,” he added.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
