Danilo Barbosa

Sharp and hungry

In between a training session and a series of medical tests, the young midfielder entered the press conference room, to answer the first questions from the media.  Danilo Barbosa explained the reasons that pushed him to join the Gym.

Young, yes, but already with a career to make you salivate! A European experience that he qualifies as “more intense” and that allowed him “to develop”, beyond his impressive build, “skill, aggressiveness, and tactics”. After several stops, Danilo Barbosa therefore decided to lay down his suitcases on French soil. In the the most beautiful city in the world, to be exact!

Why OGC Nice? For his “very ambitious” plans. The midfielder insists that “he didn’t need to think twice before signing”. Apart from the attractiveness of the club, Ligue 1, “a very strong league, which hasn’t stopped developing” attracted him. What’s more, he wasn’t the only one to be convinced...

When his brother found out that Patrick Vieira, “the midfielder that the two brothers played with on video games”, would become his coach, he picked up the phone immediately. To learn alongside this tactician? “Exciting and rewarding!” A kind of model that will push the new Red and Black player “to give his best” and “to help his teammates to contribute to the success of the team.”

Brazilian fever

As for his integration, Dante, his compatriot and captain will guide him in his early steps in the capital of the Côté d’Azur. “We have already spoken by message but I don’t know him personally, explained the youngster. Through his story and the person he is, he’s a special player, so to have the opportunity to grow with him, it’s an honour.”

Even though he left his country of birth in 2014, the Aiglon hasn’t lost sight of his homeland. “All players want to improve during their careers. It’s also the case for me. I want to improve step by step, fighting to achieve the objectives of the club.” But Danilo is also looking further…

His ultimate dream? La Seleção, of course. Except that this time, he would like to be in the first team. 

Given that three years ago, he proudly wore the armband for the national side in the U20s World Cup...

S.F.