Diego OLIVEIRA, who has supported the team with his physical presence at the forefront, sometimes scoring goals and sometimes with selfless play. 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 are wonderful encounters and feelings of gratitude that he has experienced 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 rain and blossomed flowers. It is precisely because I have not walked a smooth path that I have been sensitive to people's pain 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 young. They were about this size (less than 10 centimeters). I'm sure I didn't play in 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 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. There were many times I thought about quitting soccer. But because I had a family that supported me, I am where I am today. Without 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 playing 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 off. 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 in the year I turned 19, and who I am today 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."
If you don't give up on your dreams, they will come true. That is what the ball I chased desperately taught me. When I started my professional career in Qatar, the professional league had just been established, and the level of the second division league was not high by any means. 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 there.
In 2011, he returned to his home country as a professional soccer 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 Pontipetta 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 achieving success with Kashiwa Reysol for two seasons, 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 chased their dreams. During that time, he encountered words that lightened his spirit. It was a brief exchange, but for Diego, it became a precious treasure deeply engraved in his heart. 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 felt 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 poured my efforts into meeting the coach's expectations. I was able to work together and share a lot of joy. I am truly filled with gratitude for Kenta-san."
His humanity is packed in there. He has responded wholeheartedly 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 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, in the big city of Tokyo, everyone 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 that he dedicates his life to, and 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 strength. We will support you, so fear nothing. 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 an amazing player even off the pitch. The detailed consideration he showed towards his teammates and staff is something that cannot be maintained for seven years unless you truly feel that way. Spending time close to Diego, he was 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 was 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 realize that a big part of why I didn't run away during that tough time was because of Diego's encouraging words."
The subtle thoughtfulness is known by those who work at the club and the media. Diego has often brought snacks, saying, 'Please eat, as you have been taking care of me.' There were times when he made a lot or ordered extra to share with everyone during parties. I and my family loved everyone, so the chocolate I received felt warm beyond its sweetness.
And more than anyone, the blue and red singers know. Pushed forward by the cheers, the blue and red ace has always responded with full effort. No matter how tough it was, they fought selflessly, and we have seen them collapse on the pitch many times. The depth of that bond was also evident in the stands during the Meiji Yasuda J1 League match against Júbilo Iwata right after the retirement announcement. Diego was said to have felt a surge of emotion at the sight 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 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 achieve 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."
Unfulfilled dreams for the next generation
It's not that I 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. It's great. 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 couldn't attain. 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 my 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 on my part, but I am truly happy that we could spend this time together while respecting each other here."
The last dream of a stubborn man 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 in 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, 'It's lonely, but I feel refreshed.'
"I was able to leave many things in Tokyo. I am a lucky person to have mutual respect with everyone. In the final 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, no one knows that. 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. The end has finally come. It will surely 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 Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
