Past Meets Present: João Paulo takes place for a force test with high issues against the former Botafogo club
The opportunity to participate in the Revived FIFA Club World Cup marks an important step for players from Sounders FC. But it is the first opponent of the team that will make the experience really unforgettable for the Seattle midfielder, João Paulo.
On Sunday, June 15, João Paulo and Les Sunders confront Botafogo – the former team of the Brazilian international – during their first game of the group phase.
“I am happy to see familiar faces,” he said. “Of course, there are no more players [that I played with] On the list because it’s been a while, but I still have links there, some staff members, so it will be good to see them and I have the impression that it would be an excellent match. “”
Before joining The Rave Green, the veteran midfielder spent three seasons with the Brazilian team where he was presented in 119 appearances in all competitions and collected a total of seven goals and 11 assists for the club. His most notable season occurred in 2017, when he supported Botafogo towards the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, the deepest race of the team in the high-level South American football competition (at the time) since 2013.
“When I was there, we had a lot of problems out of the field, so it was a hard three seasons, but I can say that we put a lot of work, a lot of effort, to give Botafogo a good chance of competing,” said João Paulo. “It was a two -year -old special, three seasons in Botafogo, and I am very happy to see them.”
Sunday’s match should be a full time for the experienced midfielder who has made major progress throughout his stay with the Brazilian club. In addition to his contributions as a box-to-box midfielder, his talent proven in competitive environments like Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and Copa Libertadores finally obtained a spot of player designated during the signature with the Sounders in 2020.
“There are a lot of good memories on both sides, as with the fans, they love me, they liked my way of playing and all my efforts,” said João Paulo. “And as a player, I feel the same with the team, because they believed in me at that time, and I have the impression of being able to help them in one way or another, and they also helped me. There is therefore an involved mutual respect.”
And although Botafogo has certainly changed since the stay of three seasons of João Paulo, he is looking forward to reconnecting with his stay at the club, but also the challenge of facing the Champions of Copa Libertadores 2024 alongside his Seattle teammates.
“Now they have more structure, more money. They have a very good list … [And] I just won two championships last year, so they have a good momentum to come here, “said João Paulo.
“I am very competitive … As I said, I have a lot of respect, a lot of love for Botafogo,” he continued, “but when the referee breathes, we go for the victory.”
