Despite his status, the 32-year-old striker has not been able to establish himself as a starter in the Alviverde team since returning to play in June last year, after almost a year out of action due to injury.
Presented this Friday (3) as a reinforcement for , he spoke about his last months at , a club in which he is an idol and multi-champion. Despite his status, the 32-year-old striker has not been able to establish himself as a starter in the Alviverde team since returning to play in June last year, after almost a year out of action due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. . Thus, he ended 2024 with 19 games, only four as a starter.
“I think I didn’t play there because of the coach’s choice. Same here, if I don’t train, if I don’t dedicate myself, there are 26 other players who want to play too. I’m going to have to train, I’m going to have to work to play here. You won’t play with names. It’s not because Dudu is going to get here, put on the number 7 shirt and play. He will have to show why he has to be playing”, he said.
When he was about to return to the field after his injury, in the middle of the year, Dudu experienced great controversy at Palmeiras for opening negotiations with Cruzeiro, who even announced an agreement with the player on social media. The announcement took Palmeiras fans by surprise and caused outrage among a large part of the fans. At this Friday’s press conference, when asked about the subject and reason for the turnaround on that occasion, he did not elaborate further.
“I think God writes things at the right time. I think the right time for me to come to Cruzeiro was this, to wear the Cruzeiro shirt again. What was left behind was left behind. For me, it’s looking forward. Today, I’m here wearing the Cruzeiro shirt. If I had done something wrong, you can be sure I wouldn’t have the president’s trust,” he said.
After everything that happened, still in June, it was said that the striker’s cycle in the São Paulo team had ended, but he continued to be part of the squad and was used occasionally by .
“What the president of Palmeiras said was left behind”, he commented during the presentation press conference. “I have to think ahead. You can be sure that not only me, but also other players, will do everything they can to win titles. Do everything to bother people all over Brazil.”
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Fernando Dias
