Diego OLIVEIRA, who has supported the team with his body on the front line, sometimes with goals and sometimes with dedicated plays. The December 8th match against Cerezo Osaka will be his final match as a professional soccer player after 16 years. Throughout his long career, he has always been committed to contributing to his team's victory. He always prioritizes the team and continues to run, thinking about what he can do for the team on and off the pitch.
Why has he been so obsessed with "For the team" all this time? There was a wonderful encounter and a feeling of gratitude that he had been repeating since his youth.
Family Support and Overcoming Difficulties
It was a soccer life of flowers and rain. Diego OLIVEIRA has become a soccer player that many children in Brazil dream of, and has spent 16 years.
And now, he will put an end to his career at the end of this season. Looking back, it was a life that was hit by rain and bloomed flowers. Because he never walked a smooth path, he was a soccer player who was sensitive to people's pain and full of love.
The first gift I received from my parents, who poured a lot of love, was a pair of baby spikes.
"First pair of spikes? It's more like a story from when I was a baby rather than when I was young. They were about this size (less than 10 centimeters). I don't think I played in them, but I'm sure my parents still have them at home."
I started kicking a ball around when I was old enough to follow in the footsteps of my seven-year-older brother, Vinicius. With futsal as my roots, I say, "I started playing soccer seriously a little later than most people."
"I started playing on the pitch when I was 15 or 16 years old. That's when my father gave me a pair of spikes as a present. My parents have always supported me no matter what. There were times when I wanted to quit soccer many times. But because I had a supporting family, I am where I am today. If I didn't have my parents and family, I wouldn't be who I am now."
Shortly after switching to soccer, he passed the selection for his local Paraná club and started playing for the youth team with the goal of becoming a professional. However, he was unable to make it to the top team and it seemed like his path was closed. But Diego did not give up and held onto his dream.
Through his agent, Diego received an offer to turn pro from Al-Mesaimeer, a team in the second division of Qatar. With a glimmer of hope, Lori clung onto the opportunity.
"When I turned 19, I went to Qatar, and it's thanks to that experience that I am who I am today. It was my first time abroad, but the people I met in Qatar were very kind to me, and I am extremely grateful for that."
Dreams come true if you don't give up. That's what the ball I've been chasing desperately taught me. When I started my professional career in Qatar, the professional league had just started and the level of the second division was not high to say the least. I struggled with unfamiliar language, religion, food, and climate, and my heart almost broke many times due to the overwhelming difficulties. Still, I told myself that it was "the path I chose" and spent two seasons there.
Returning to my home country as a professional soccer player in 2011. In the process, I transferred to South Korea's Suwon Samsung Bluewings and went through injuries and setbacks while moving between many teams. However, there is no rain that never stops. When I finally saw the light at Ponte Preta in 2015, I made the decision to go to Japan from among several offers. That was a major turning point.
Love poured from respectful comrades
After two successful seasons with Kashiwa Reysol, Kenta HASEGAWA was welcomed as the ace of Tokyo, now under his leadership. However, as a hardworking man who had been desperately chasing his dreams, he couldn't help but feel a slight unease. It was at that time when he came across words that would lighten his burden. It was a short exchange, but for Diego, it was a precious treasure deeply engraved in his heart. Even now, Diego vividly remembers that moment.
"When I first joined, I played against Bayangkara FC in Indonesia, but it was a disaster. My performance was terrible and I was worried. At that time, Kenji said, 'Don't worry. If you can calm down and play, you'll be fine. You have the strength.' He warmly wrapped me up and gave me words of confidence. From there, I did my best to meet the coach's expectations. We worked together and shared many joys. I am truly grateful to Kenji."
His humanity is packed there. He has responded with love and all his might to the love that has been poured into him. That's why he has nurtured strong friendships with his teammates, staff, fans and supporters, and the media.
It has always been like that. I have always prioritized the team's victory over my own performance. It's because it brings the biggest smile to the people I have been involved with.
"Everyone I have worked with has shown me respect. I believe that is the most important thing I have gained in my football career. I have spent my time in Japan, a country far from my home country of Brazil and on the opposite side of the world. In this amazing city of Tokyo, in this wonderful country of Japan, everyone has shown me respect. It was an incredibly happy experience that cannot be replaced. Of course, I have also shown respect to everyone. Obtaining and being able to experience these things is a great asset to me."
Diego meets a club that he will risk his life for and will make many flowers bloom. There, he encountered many learnings and encounters. At that time, just like coach Masaru HASEGAWA did for him, now Diego takes the initiative to stop the young players before the game and calls out to them like this.
"It's okay. Don't worry. You have the strength. We will support you, so don't be afraid. Show us your strength."
Masato MORISHIGE, a comrade who spent a lot of time together, said, "I've seen that scene many times," and looked back on it as if chewing on it.
"The team's ace gave me encouragement like that, and I think it was reassuring for the young players as well. He fought for the team, sacrificing himself until the end. Even when he was off the pitch, he was a fantastic player. His attention to detail towards his teammates and staff is something that cannot be maintained for 7 years without truly believing in it. Spending time with Diego, he was truly a player who had a lot to learn from as a person and as a man."
Kazunori IINO, who was closest to him, also recalls his memories, saying, "I was also saved by Diego."
"Looking back now, there was a time when I temporarily stepped away from being a pitch interpreter due to circumstances within the club. It wasn't something I wanted, so to be honest, I was a little down during that time. It was during that time that Diego reached out to me and encouraged me. And now, being able to work as an interpreter next to him, I think his words of encouragement played a big role in why I didn't run away during that difficult time."
Subtle consideration is known by the people who work at the club and the media. Diego often brought snacks and said, "Since I'm indebted to you, please have some." There were many times when he made a lot of food or ordered extra when we had a party and distributed it to everyone. I felt more warmth than sweetness in that chocolate, which I received as a sign of love for me, my family, and everyone else.
And, more than anyone else, the blue and red singers know. Pushed by the cheers, they have always responded with all their might to the sight of the blue and red ace. I have seen them fight devotedly, even in the face of great difficulty, and collapse on the pitch multiple times. The depth of their bond was also evident in the stands during the 37th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Júbilo Iwata, just after announcing their retirement. 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 remain a cherished memory for me. There were good times and bad times, but I am proud to have fought alongside the fans and supporters. I wanted to win the J-League title during my playing career, but unfortunately I couldn't achieve that. However, I believe I gained something even more valuable here. I want to express my gratitude once again for the fans and supporters who called out my name and cheered for me during tough times. I am not Japanese, I am a foreigner. But I have learned so much with this amazing team in the wonderful city of Tokyo, Japan. I am truly grateful for the success I have had here. Thank you."
Unattainable dreams are for the next generation
There is no regret. In the 2019 season, we were able to keep the possibility of winning the league until the final match, but we missed it by just one step. The last dream of the dream chaser remains unfulfilled, buried deep in our hearts along with the bitterness. The striker who set a record of 74 goals in the J1 league, the highest in the history of the blue and red, said, "The record is very pleasing. I want to remember it again. It's the best. But..." and continued.
"As a hope, I want a player who can quickly break records to emerge. That means someone who is either equal to or better than me was born in Tokyo. If that happens, I believe this club will come closer to achieving the J1 League title that I couldn't achieve, and I strongly wish for such a player to come out as soon as possible."
I have decided to retire from this team since a few years ago. I cited my longing for my hometown that never faded and physical and mental exhaustion as reasons for retirement. I have bloomed many flowers in Japan, far away and under the rain. I hold a bouquet made by picking up each and every one of them and take off my uniform.
"I am filled with a feeling of loneliness. Everyone has respected me and I have also tried to show the utmost respect to everyone. There may have been times when I was not perfect, but I am truly happy that we were able to spend time together here, respecting each other."
The last dream of a man who never gives up was entrusted. It was a soccer life that pushed forward with the spirit of Never Give Up. The flower that Diego bloomed will be passed on to the blue and red next generation.
December 8, 2024. The final day begins.
After finishing the last practice as a soccer player, he said, "It's sad, but I feel refreshed."
"I was able to leave a lot of things in Tokyo. I am a lucky person to be able to respect each other. In the last game, there should be various thoughts running through my mind. If I could choose, I might choose a story where I score a goal and win. But, no one knows that. I will just play my best as usual. My soccer life was supported by many people. That's why I was able to come this far. Thank you to everyone who has been involved. I don't even know what emotions will come up. Finally, the end has come. It will be an unforgettable day in my life. I don't know if I will cry, but please look forward to it."
Many flowers will fall on the Ajinomoto pitch for the departing hero. It probably won't rain, but somehow Diego may appear to be crying. The perfect ending for Diego OLIVEIRA, who lived a life of soccer with flowers and rain, is about to come to a close.
Text by Yohhei Baba (Freelance Writer)
