Val Baiano "loses his virginity" and remembers the beginning of his career
Striker dedicates goal to God and Luxemburgo and shows confidence in scoring more goals for Flamengo
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - inVolta Redonda (RJ) - Childhood in Manoel Vitorino, Bahia, wasn't easy. Val Baiano lost his father when he was just one year old and had to work to help his mother and grandmother raise his two sisters and younger brother. But his dream of playing soccer outweighed the hardships. Even after struggling with minor clubs in both Bahia and the South, he secured a transfer to Santos, and his career began to take off.
"It was a difficult beginning. I lost my father when I was one year old, and my mother and grandmother were the ones who supported me. Today, everyone in my family depends on me. I played for Poções and went a year without receiving a salary. Then, I went to Paraná (I played for Toledo and Grêmio Maringá) and went months without receiving a salary. My mother called me, asked if everything was okay, and I said yes. But it was difficult. That cold in the south and I didn't have a penny to buy a soda, eating only that slice of ground beef with chayote. But now, I'm here," he said.
Today, he's fulfilling his dream of wearing the Flamengo jersey. More than that, he's living the next day of a hero. After all, he scored his first goal for the Red-Blacks in a 2-0 victory over Atlético-GO, in his 11th game for the Gávea club. In good humor, he says he "lost his virginity" and hopes to repeat his success in the coming rounds.
"Pet even joked with me that I lost my virginity (laughs). It was cool. A big weight was lifted off my shoulders, I'm relieved. I hope this can be the first of many. I've always dedicated myself a lot, worked hard and had the group's trust at all times, which was very important," said Val, who revealed that Bahia was in celebration after the goal.
"When I arrived, there were already 48 missed calls. The whole of Bahia was calling. There was a party, fireworks, Pet saying that I lost my virginity and it was all very good. Pet said that now I'm no longer a virgin with the Flamengo shirt and I felt something very good," he observed.
As usual, Val Baiano, even after his heroic night, took to the field this Friday to work: he did physical training and finishing drills. All to make the most of this new opportunity.
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