Before making the heyday of Groupama Stadium and Lyon, Tetê had to overcome difficult times. In an interview with the Team this Sunday, before the shock against PSG, the Brazilian mentioned the start of the war in Ukraine last February, when he was still playing for Shakhtar Donetsk. And like many civilians, he had to leave the country.
“It was very complicated. It happened in the early morning. We didn’t think long with my wife. We took the car with some things and we left for Poland. At the border, it took us twenty-two hours to cover the last two kilometres. There were many, many people. But we got there and we were relieved. We took a hotel, I took out a subscription to a gym to train. It lasted two months,” he said.
“As I have a good financial condition, I was able to help”
Deprived of training and matches after the suspension of the championship at the start of the Russian invasion, the 22-year-old winger has spent his free time helping Ukrainians in need. “As I have a good financial condition, I was able to help with my wife many Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Poland,” he says. I made food baskets, with all the basic products and for the essential needs, and I gave them to people who arrived. We saw so many people disembarking… Some had crossed the country and had nothing left because they had abandoned everything. It was normal to help them. »
“I had just spent several weeks without touching a ball”
Courted by Olympique Lyonnais, the Brazilian was able to sign in the Rhône after the opening of a special transfer window, set up by FIFA, allowing foreign players playing in Ukraine and Russia to find another club during the time. of the conflict. “It went quickly. I had just spent several weeks without dribbling anyone, without even touching a ball! The first time I touched a ball was here in Lyon, at the stadium, and I scored straight away (Laughs.) (3-2 against Angers, April 3). I was too happy at that time,” delivered Tetê.
Loaned by Shakhtar until 2023, the right winger, author of a very good start to the season (four goals and three assists in seven games) insisted on his wish to stay in France: “I want this contract, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I want to stay here. All the people around me have to work to find an agreement so that I can definitely commit to OL”. The message got through.