Dribbling, sprinting and dazzling career: Dener’s death marks 30 years

Road accident in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Rio de Janeiro, interrupted the trajectory of one of the most promising athletes of the 90s

Exactly 30 years ago, the world of football received news that shocked fans and which is always remembered by commentators. At the age of 23, Dener Augusto de Souza died in a car accident in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. In the last part of the 1994 Carioca Championship, the player attracted attention with his dribbling, sprints and vertical plays, but his life was cut short.

During his dazzling career, the former player, revealed by Portuguesa, had loan spells at Grêmio and Vasco and was enchanted by his beautiful football. With sprints and brilliant moves, the athlete made his professional debut on October 14, 1989, in Lusa’s defeat against Immortale Tricolore, in Porto Alegre. In the 1991 Copinha, he was part of the Sao Paulo team’s title campaign alongside Sinval and Tico.

Dener made 110 appearances and scored 32 goals throughout his career. With the Maltese Cross on his chest he played 19 games and scored 6 goals. Thus, he left the feeling that he could become one of the biggest stars of Brazilian football. At the time, the attacking midfielder was in the sights of Stuttgart, where Dunga played, but as fate would have it, the operation did not materialize, as he died the day after the operation.

The magic that Dener showed in the Portuguesa shirt soon made him realize one of his dreams. The eternal number 10 left his time with the Brazilian team as a souvenir. It was up to Paulo Roberto Falcão to give the then 20-year-old an opportunity in the Brazilian team. The former athlete was with the bell on two occasions.

The friend recalls the beginning of his career

Born in the North Zone of São Paulo, Dener began working at an early age to support his family, a reality present in the lives of many Brazilians. So his attention was focused on reconciling study in the morning, work in the afternoon and his passion for football in the evening. Tico defended his friend’s legacy: “Sometimes he was reserved. He never had a habit of drinking, but he liked to enjoy the samba,” he told ESPN.

During his time at Portuguesa, Dener’s career had not yet taken off, so he was looking for other opportunities to supplement his income: “At the time at Portuguesa we received a salary. He played elsewhere to earn extra money. That’s how Portuguesa got by he noticed and started supporting him.”, he added

Even after so many years, Tico still defends his friend tooth and nail and criticizes those who do not know the history of one of the greatest promises of Brazilian football: “People say a lot of nonsense, they speak louder and don’t I know his story. He went through a lot.”

Special program

His short but impactful career is the focus of Resenha ESPN, which features Tico, one of Dener’s closest friends, to celebrate his life.

The program will air this Friday (19th), at 10pm (Brasilia time). It will feature the presentation of André Plihal, as well as guests: Sinval, Amoroso and Djalma.

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Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.