Hulk: Angioni spurs Fluminense, ‘We’ll win Libertadores for him’ | OneFootball

Tricolor forward highlights the former director’s impact behind the scenes and says the continental title became a matter of honor

Fluminense’s pursuit of a second Copa Libertadores title has taken on an even deeper meaning behind the scenes. In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, an emotional striker Hulk recalled the attitude and dedication of Paulo Angioni, the club’s former executive football director, who passed away on September 12. The player revealed a remarkable gesture from the executive during his hospitalization that motivated the squad in the final stretch of the season.

According to the No. 7, even just after surgery and facing a delicate health condition, the executive remained fully focused on the players’ well-being and on Tricolor das Laranjeiras’ commitments.

— And one thing that really stayed with us was that, as soon as he was hospitalized, right after surgery, while we were in camp getting ready to play, he sent us a message. The guy was there, facing a serious situation, and he was worried about our match. We said, ‘man, this guy deserves total respect.’ From that moment on, we said, ‘it’s for Paulo,’ because in that situation he was worried about us here. He was concerned about how this player or that player was doing. One player had a small issue and he asked, ‘how is that situation going?’ Like, it was a problem that didn’t even amount to one percent of his. So you think, ‘man, how can someone going through something like that be worried about us here, when we’re healthy and dealing with small problems?’ These are people who deserve total respect, and I’m sure we’re going to fight for this Libertadores for him — Hulk revealed.

The memory reinforces how Angioni’s leadership left its mark on the tricolor locker room. The promise to fight for the continental title as a tribute to the former executive now serves as extra motivation for the squad in the decisive clashes against Palmeiras in the competition’s semifinals.

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