Diego gets emotional when remembering the boys: Let's honor and dignify everything they experienced
The red-black captain gave a press conference and revealed what the meeting with Cauan was like.
By Flamengo Communication - in
On Tuesday (12), Flamengo returned to Ninho do Urubu for another training session aiming at the semi-final against Fluminense. Before the activity, midfielder and captain Diego Ribas spoke to the press in a press conference and was emotional when remembering the tragedy at CT.
"We've tried to face the situation as best we can. We don't have answers for everything; the fact is that somehow we have to move forward to honor and honor everything these boys experienced, those who are gone and those who had the opportunity to stay here. They were blessed and are safe. We have to move forward to keep this dream alive within these boys. Do what they did, compete, wear this jersey, live the dream of playing at Maracanã. I'm 34 years old, and I'm living the dream that these 15-year-old boys wanted to live."
After the activity last Monday (11), the athletes went to Hospital Vitória to show solidarity and support to the boys Cauan Emanuel and Francisco Dyogo. The number 10 revealed how the conversation with Cauan went.
"Cauan is recovering well, a little sad. I got his phone, sent him a picture, he sent me a picture celebrating a goal and said: "Do you know this celebration?" He was inspired by me (crying). I'm sorry. So we have to keep going, we will be inspirations, just as Cauan is inspired by me, other young people will be inspired by other players and to be an inspiration we have to be on our feet."
Jhonata Ventura, the third injured athlete, continues to fight bravely. He is still unable to receive visitors, continuing treatment at the Pedro II Burn Treatment Center.
Knowing the difficult time for the survivors and also for the victims' families, the red-black cast made themselves available to help with anything that is needed.
"We're here to help. With our presence, words, hugs... Whatever it takes. I feel the club's board is there for us; we're one in this situation. Everyone can count on us wholeheartedly. Family members, whatever you need, I, the staff, and everyone at the club are here to help. We'd like to do more, but there's a process, and we have to respect everything. But we're making ourselves available to help everyone who needs it."
A role model for all youth players, Diego Ribas recalled the moments he spent with the athletes who were present at the tragedy.
"Our relationship with these kids has always been excellent. We follow everything, they're part of our daily lives. I remember most of them asking to take pictures with me. I have a nephew who plays for Flamengo's under-14 team, so he had friends in the dorm. He could have been there too. In short, we have a strong bond and respect."
Check out other excerpts from the interview
Receipt of news
I was getting into my car, and a staff member at home told me, so I went to find out. My nephew is in the U-14 team, he trains in the morning, and that was my first thought. Then I found out that training had been canceled. It was really hard because we've lived through it, we're the kids in the youth academy. I lived in dormitories, and I have friends who lived in dormitories and come to my house.
Group meeting
These boys carry the soul of the Brazilian people. It's within us; we all feel this situation. When it happened, we were distraught. This meeting we had the day after was meant to gather, pray, understand ourselves as a group, determine the path we'll follow, and how to best face this. Abel was very eloquent in his speech; we all know what he went through, which gives him a certain authority to speak at this moment. Out of respect for what happened, we didn't go to the field that morning to begin to absorb the situation and, as a group, make the best decisions.
Feeling for the next game
The emotion is clear, it will come, we will carry this situation with us. People can't mistake when we're in training or a game, smiling at times, that we'll forget this situation. It will be part of it, we will carry it with us. But we have to find the strength so that this can somehow serve as inspiration for us. It's our job to compete, there's a very important game on Thursday, and we have to be ready to win. And even for these kids, may it somehow serve as inspiration for us to move forward. It's been difficult for us and all Brazilians, but when the time comes to step onto the field, we'll do what they did: honor the jersey.
CT Structure
It's clear to everyone that the club strives for constant, daily evolution. This has been demonstrated not only for the professionals but for the entire youth team. I've witnessed this evolution since I arrived in 2016, when the structure was entirely made of containers. I used this structure and followed the club's evolution. Regarding technical and bureaucratic issues, I'm not here to discuss that. But I've seen the concern for evolution from both the past and current boards. Whether or not it has evolved is not for me to say. It's a tragedy, the club's greatest, and those who are here will carry it with them forever and are living it intensely. It's a moment of great sadness and reflection.