Pandemic comeback, stand-in defender, shirt for aunt: Newton at São Paulo | OneFootball

Defensive midfielder Newton was introduced this Wednesday (29) at CT da Barra Funda as São Paulo’s new signing for the season. The player gave a press conference to introduce himself to the fans, while also sharing stories about his past and his aunt’s influence on the deal.

The 26-year-old player, who arrived from Botafogo, signed a permanent deal with the São Paulo club through December 2029, and has already been training normally with the squad in recent days. He will wear the number 28 shirt at São Paulo.

Like many others, Newton went through a major ordeal during the Covid pandemic in 2020 while playing for his first club, Jacuipense, from Bahia. During the global crisis, he stopped receiving wages from the team and had to find another way to support himself, at only 20 years old.

The midfielder took a job as a construction laborer, earning R$1,200, so he could help his family in Salvador. He thought about giving up football, but received a call from Jacuipense to return to the pitch.

“It was a moment in my life that was hard, it was complicated, but great athletes go through difficulties, and those who are resilient manage to achieve their goals. And thank God, today I’m arriving at São Paulo and I’m very happy,” the player said at the start of the press conference.

“It was during the pandemic. The club I was at at the time was Jacuipense, which stopped making payments, and I was living with my mother, so things started running short at home and I had to go to work.”

“So when I received the offer to work, I took it. But every day while I was there, I hoped the pandemic would end and that I could go back to playing football, which is the thing I love doing most in life. And one day I was there, and my phone rang, and it was Jacuipense’s director calling me, saying I had to report back.”

“That’s when I realized my dream wasn’t dead. I was very happy, I came back, managed to perform well there, and was signed by Botafogo. Then I saw my life change completely,” Newton added.

CAN HE PLAY IN DEFENSE TOO?

A defensive midfielder by trade, Newton Jr. explained that he can also play in a more defensive role for Tricolor if coach Dorival Júnior needs him to.

“I’m a midfielder, I can play as both a holding midfielder and a box-to-box midfielder, and I’ve also played as a center back. I’m a team player, and if it’s for the good of the group and I have to play as a center back, I’ll be ready. I’m always willing to help São Paulo.”

HIS AUNT’S “PRESSURE”

“When I was on vacation during the Club World Cup break, I was with my aunt, and some posts were already coming out on the internet and all that. Then she said to me, ‘So, is it really true? Are you really going? You have to go, you’re going to be very happy, it’s your aunt’s favorite club, give me the privilege of cheering for you and my club at the same time.’”

“So I told her, ‘God willing, everything will work out,’ and thank God today I’m here. She was very happy and asked me for a shirt, and the first one is going to be for her. I’m very happy to be here,” revealed São Paulo’s new signing.

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