32 years without Dener, son turns grief into football to honour his legacy | OneFootball

The 32nd anniversary of Dener’s death falls on Sunday. On Saturday 18 at 10:00, his son Deniz stages the third tribute match at Estádio Thomas Mazzoni in Vila Ede, São Paulo, aiming to recast his father’s legacy through football.

"For years April was hard at home, we kept to ourselves. Now we try to handle it differently, instead of lamenting we run this project to remember his story with affection," Deniz said to ge.

The game brings together former team-mates, including Roque, plus familiar names Marco Aurélio and Somália. The homage grew from a mural by Amazonian artist Kelton Medeiros in Vila Ede, welcomed by Deniz and friend Fábio with a barbecue before it evolved into an annual match.

A Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior star in 1991 with Portuguesa, Dener later lifted state titles on loan at Grêmio in 1993 and Vasco in 1994. He died aged 23 in a car crash at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas in Rio de Janeiro, leaving three children.

"My father loved this place, and my family still live on the street where he was born. I could stage it at Canindé or a bigger stadium, but it would lose its meaning," said Deniz.

"This year we took inspiration from his Brazil call-ups, nine Olympic and two senior, for the shirts. There is a blue and a green and yellow, all with 10 and Dener on the back, and each player will take one home," he said.

Source: Globo.com