São Paulo fans back Luiz Gustavo’s contract renewal | OneFootball

The São Paulo board views Luiz Gustavo’s contract renewal favorably. The experienced midfielder’s current deal ends at the end of this year, but internally, there is a consensus that he can continue to contribute both on and off the field, despite his advanced age.

A poll conducted by Gazeta Esportiva asked tricolor fans whether they approved of the player’s stay. The result was positive: 62.11% of participants were in favor of the renewal, while 37.89% were against.

Luiz Gustavo’s Season

Luiz Gustavo missed almost the entire season due to a serious health issue unrelated to any age-related physical limitation. The player was diagnosed with a pulmonary thromboembolism and was forced to stay away from the pitch for six long months.

Recovered from the serious health problem, the 38-year-old athlete, who has played for Bayern Munich and the Brazilian National Team, showed that age is just a number. Even after being out of action for so long, Luiz Gustavo needed very few matches to regain his high level and be useful to coach Hernán Crespo.

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A Reference for Cotia

But the number 16’s usefulness goes far beyond the four lines. The tricolor board believes the midfielder is also a role model for younger players due to his conduct.

The idea is for Luiz Gustavo to be what Rafinha was for the São Paulo squad before leaving the club. The presence of a successful athlete, with experience and a significant career, can be fundamental for the development of young players promoted to the professional team.

In fact, the trend is that São Paulo will rely even more on players coming from Cotia next season, since the club will not have a significant budget for signings, focusing instead on debt repayment and financial restructuring.

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Although the board is inclined to offer Luiz Gustavo another year on his contract, the parties are expected to talk only at the end of the season. However, the current feeling is that the midfielder will remain at Morumbis in 2026.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.