Diego OLIVEIRA, who has supported the team by putting his body on the line at the forefront, sometimes scoring goals and sometimes playing selflessly. The match against Cerezo Osaka on December 8 will be his final match as a professional football player after 16 years. Throughout his long career, he has been committed to contributing to the victory of the team he belongs to. He has always prioritized the team, continuously thinking about what he can do for the team both on and off the pitch.
Why has he been so particular about "For the team"? There were wonderful encounters and feelings of gratitude that he has experienced repeatedly since his youth.
Support from Family and Overwhelming Difficulties
It was a soccer life of flowers and rain. Diego OLIVEIRA has spent 16 years becoming the soccer player that many children in Brazil dream of.
And this season will mark the end of that career. Looking back, it has been a life that has endured the rain and blossomed. It is precisely because I have not walked a smooth path that I have been sensitive to the pain of others and have been a football player full of love.
The first gift given by parents who showered him with love was a pair of baby spikes.
"First spikes? Well, it's more of a story from when I was a baby rather than when I was a child. They were this small (less than 10 centimeters). I'm sure I didn't play wearing them, though. I think my parents still have them at home."
By the time I became aware of my surroundings, I was kicking a ball, following in the footsteps of my older brother, who is seven years my senior, Vinicius. With futsal as my roots, I say, 'I started playing soccer a little later than others,' and I continue like this.
"I think I started playing on the pitch when I was around 15 or 16 years old. At that time, my father gave me a pair of cleats as a gift. My parents have always supported me, no matter what. There were many times I thought about quitting soccer. But because I had a family that supported me, I am where I am today. If it weren't for my parents and family, I wouldn't be who I am now."
Shortly after switching to football, he passed the selection for the local Parana Club and began to play in the youth team aiming to become a professional. However, he was unable to be promoted to the top team, and it seemed that his path was closed. Nevertheless, Diego did not give up and clung to his dream.
Through an agent, an offer to turn professional came from Al-Misaimir, a team in the Qatari second division. Diego clung to this glimmer of hope with desperation.
"I went to Qatar when I was 19 years old, but the person I am now is thanks to that experience. It was my first time abroad, and I am very grateful for the kindness of the people I met in Qatar."
Dreams come true if you don't give up. That is what the ball, which I chased desperately, taught me. At the time I started my professional career in Qatar, the professional league had just been established, and the level of the second division league was far from high. I struggled with the unfamiliar language, religion, food, and climate, and I felt like I was about to break under the overwhelming difficulties many times. Still, I told myself it was 'the path I chose' and spent two seasons.
In 2011, he returned to his home country as a professional football player. Along the way, he transferred to Suwon Samsung in South Korea, and despite repeated injuries and setbacks, he played for many teams. However, there is no rain that does not stop. In 2015, he found success at Ponte Preta and decided to go to Japan from several offers he received. This became a significant turning point.
Love poured out from companions who respect each other
After two successful seasons with Kashiwa Reysol, Kenta HASEGAWA was welcomed as the ace of the team led by the new coach from Tokyo. However, there was a hint of anxiety for someone who had tirelessly pursued their dreams. At that time, he encountered words that lightened his spirit. It was a brief exchange, but for Diego, it was deeply engraved in his heart as a precious treasure. Even now, Diego vividly remembers that moment.
"When I first joined, I played a match against Bayankara FC in Indonesia, but I was completely terrible. My performance was awful, and I was anxious. At that time, Kenta-san warmly said to me, 'Don't worry. If you can play calmly from now on, you'll be fine. You have the strength.' Those encouraging words gave me confidence. From there, I have been trying my best to meet the coach's expectations. I worked together and shared a lot of joy. I am truly filled with gratitude for Kenta-san."
His humanity is packed in there. He has responded with all his might to the love poured into him. Therefore, he has cultivated a strong friendship with teammates, staff, fans, supporters, and the media.
It has always been that way. I have prioritized the team's victory over my own performance. That is probably because it brings the most smiles to the people I have been involved with.
Everyone involved has respected me. I believe that is the most important thing I have gained in my football life. I have spent time far from my home country of Brazil, on the other side of the world in Japan. In this wonderful country of Japan, in the big city of Tokyo, everyone has respected me. That was an incredibly joyful experience that is irreplaceable. Of course, I have also respected everyone. The fact that I was able to gain and hold onto such things is my great treasure.
Diego encounters a club to which he dedicates his life, and he blossoms in many ways. There were many lessons and encounters along the way. Just as Coach Hasegawa did for him back then, this time Diego took the initiative to stop the young players before the match and said this to them.
"It's okay. Don't worry. You have the strength. We will support you, so fear nothing. Just show your strength."
My comrade Masato MORISHIGE, with whom I spent a lot of time, said, "I have really seen that scene many times," and reflected on it as if savoring it.
"The team's ace encouraged us like that, and I think the younger players felt reassured. He fought for the team, even sacrificing himself. He was a wonderful player even when he stepped off the pitch. The detailed consideration he showed towards his teammates and staff is something that cannot be maintained for seven years unless it comes from the heart. Spending time close to Diego, he was truly a player from whom I learned a lot, both as a person and as a man."
The interpreter Kazunori IINO, who was closest, recalls, "I am also one of those who were saved by Diego."
"Looking back now, there was a time when I temporarily stepped away from being the pitch interpreter due to the club's circumstances. It wasn't something I wanted, so to be honest, I felt a bit down during that period. During that time, Diego was very supportive and encouraged me. Now that I can interpret next to him like this, I think a big part of why I didn't run away during that low period was because of Diego's encouraging words."
The subtle thoughtfulness is something that those who work at the club and the media are aware of. Diego has often brought snacks, saying, "Since you have been taking care of me, please eat this." There were times when he made a lot or ordered extra when throwing a party and shared it with everyone. It was because both I and my family loved everyone so much that I felt warmth beyond the sweetness in that chocolate I received.
And, more than anyone, the blue-red singers know. Pushed by the cheers, the blue-red ace has always responded with all their might. No matter how tough it gets, they have fought selflessly, and we have seen them collapse on the pitch many times. The depth of that bond was also reflected in the stands during the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 37 match against Júbilo Iwata, right after the retirement announcement. Diego was said to have been moved to tears by the scene that caught his eye.
"Looking around the stands, I saw so many fans and supporters holding up my number 9 jersey. It was truly moving. That moment will surely remain as a cherished memory within me. There have been long times, both good and bad. Still, I take pride in having fought alongside the fans and supporters. I wanted to win a J-League title during my active career, but unfortunately, I couldn't grasp that. However, I believe I gained something even greater here. I want to express my gratitude once again for the fans and supporters who called my name and cheered for me during tough times. I am not Japanese; I am a foreigner. Nevertheless, I have learned so much with this wonderful team in this amazing capital of Japan, Tokyo. I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart for being able to succeed here. Thank you."
Unrealized dreams for the next generation
I don't have no regrets. In the 2019 season, we had a chance to win the league until the final match, but we missed it by just a step. The last dream of a dream chaser remains unfulfilled, kept deep in my heart along with the frustration. The all-time best striker in the club's history, who set a record of 74 goals in the J1 League, said, "I'm very happy about the record. I want to remember it again as a memory. It's the best. But..." and continued.
"What I hope for is that a player will emerge who can immediately break the record. To surpass that number means that a player equal to or greater than myself has been born in Tokyo. If that happens, I truly believe this club will get closer to achieving the J1 League title that I could not fulfill. I strongly wish for such a player to appear as soon as possible."
I decided a few years ago that I would retire with this team. I cited my longing for my hometown, which has never faded, and the physical and mental exhaustion as reasons for my retirement. I have weathered the rain and bloomed many flowers far away in Japan. Holding tightly to the bouquet made from each of those flowers, I take off my uniform.
"I feel full of loneliness. Everyone has respected me, and I have tried to show the utmost respect to all of you. There may have been shortcomings, but I am truly happy that we could spend this time together while respecting each other here."
The last dream of a man who never gives up has been entrusted. It was a soccer life driven by the spirit of never giving up. The flowers that Diego bloomed will be passed on to the next generation of blue and red.
December 8, 2024. The final day begins.
After finishing the last training session before the match as a football player, I express my feelings by saying, 'It's lonely, but I feel refreshed.'
I was able to leave a lot behind in Tokyo. I am a lucky person to have mutual respect with everyone. In the last match, various thoughts will surely rush through my mind. If I could choose, I might select a story where I score a goal and win. But, that is something no one knows. I will just play my best as always. My football life has been supported by many people. It is because of that support that I have come this far. Thanks to everyone who has been involved. I don't even know what emotions will arise. Finally, the end has come. It should be an unforgettable day in my life. I don't know if I will cry, but please look forward to it.
Many flowers will shower down on the Ajinomoto pitch for the departing hero. Surely, it will not rain. However, strangely, Diego OLIVEIRA may appear to shimmer. A grand finale fitting for Diego OLIVEIRA, who has lived a football life filled with flowers and rain, is about to come to a close.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
