Back? São Paulo talent sold to Ukraine quits amid war: “Anxious” | OneFootball

Remember the skillful defensive midfielder/attacking midfielder Talles Costa, who came through every youth level at São Paulo since the U-13s and made his first-team debut in 2021? Well, after being sold to Polissya, of Ukraine, in 2024, the player terminated his contract with the club because of the problems the war has caused in the country.

Talles went on to make 52 appearances, with one goal and two assists for Tricolor. He was also an U-17 world champion with the Brazilian National Team in 2019.

The former São Paulo player detailed some of the difficulties and drama he experienced in the country, which remains in a prolonged war with Russia.

“This was not a very difficult decision to make, given all the circumstances we are living through here in Ukraine. I’m very far from my family, from my wife, and it’s rare to have a moment when I can see them, in addition to this whole war situation that ends up leaving us very anxious,” said Talles.

“Out of nowhere, we have to go down to bunkers, stay hidden, and all of this is very bad. Besides that, I haven’t been getting many opportunities with the team, so we talked internally and the club also understood that this would be the right thing to do. I’m grateful to Polissya for believing in my football, in my work, and for also giving me good things, the dream of playing in Europe.”

“I also had many good moments here. But I feel it’s time to look for a new challenge, to be happy again doing what I love most, which is playing football. Now it’s time to work and wait to see what the market will offer. I hope to be back on the pitch as soon as possible,” the player said, in a publication by Itatiaia.

At São Paulo, he won the 2021 Paulista Championship and the 2023 Copa do Brasil. At Polissya, he played 45 matches, including in the Conference League, scoring one goal in the European tournament.

RETURN TO TRICOLOR?

I’ve always liked the name Talles Costa. A strong, talented young player, intense in marking and quick, he broke into São Paulo’s first team at an early age, but found it difficult to establish himself in a squad with many options in his position.

But he always performed well when he came on and left very early, at 21, for Ukrainian football. Now two years older and with European experience, he could be a good option if he returned to Tricolor, especially since he would come on a free transfer and was developed at Cotia.

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