He left Sao Paulo and charmed Manchester United. Now, he wants to shine with Red Bull Bragantino in the Libertadores

Currently at Red Bull Bragantino, Lucas Evangelista worked at Manchester United and Sao Paulo before playing for the Libertadores.

Along with four other colleagues from Desportivo Brasil, Lucas Evangelista donned a suit and tie to see the directors’ chest Manchester Unitedat Old Trafford, the home team defeated Bolton 1-0 in March 2011.

This was the first time the boy had the chance to watch a game Premier League He lives. Despite the excitement, he made sure to follow the English club’s guidelines by not posting any pictures of the pitch to social media and avoiding any fanfare. The intention was for the Brazilian players’ visit to go unnoticed.

However, the famous “Daily Mail” newspaper presented a report the next day that included details of the conditions of young people in it Red Devils. Lucas was surprised, but understood how things were at one of the biggest teams in the world.

A little over 11 years after this episode, the midfielder plays Red Bull Bragantinowhich you will face Velez Sarsfieldacross the CONMEBOL Libertadoresthis Thursday at 21:00 (Brazilian time), Broadcasting on ESPN on Star +.

But Lucas’ career did not start at Desportivo Brasil. He grew up in Limeira, and took two exams until he passed Sao Paulowho defended between the ages of 11 and 14, but as a defender.

“The problem is that the friend who took me to the club was kicked out and could not travel. I was about to be accommodated, but the process took some time and the Desportivo Brasil project came, which was very dangerous. I stayed there until I was 16, and when I signed the first contract, I appeared Sao Paulo again and I was shocked,” he told ESPN.com.br.

After a month in Tricolor, he received a tempting offer to return to Desportivo. The project included a month-long exchange in Europe – twice a year – at Manchester United and Twente, where I had the opportunity to train with al-Qaeda youth and mingle with the stars of the professional team.

“The first time I went to Manchester I had to go on my own, I arrived with a map and I don’t know how to speak English (laughs). It was basic breakfast with the professionals. Nani saw we were Brazilians and they gave us all the help. He said we had to work a lot even outside Training let’s go away. After we talked to him, we lifted our weight.”

“What I’ve learned the most is seeing everyone who is really good is just plain simple. There are many athletes who haven’t conquered anything and think they are the most. We were afraid out there and treated everyone with humility.”

Lucas has also been in great contact with Anderson, as well as twins Rafael and Fabio.

“When I arrived in Manchester, I didn’t know Pogba, who was still playing in United’s base and B team. During training, he was very different from the others. He was strong and cheerful, along with the quality he had. He attracted attention on the immediately.”

“Ferguson was a great dad and he made people feel good.” He made us feel comfortable: “Do what you’re used to.” We knew it was very difficult to go directly from Desportivo Brasil to Manchester United, but it was possible.”

Back to Sao Paulo

After excelling with Desportivo Brasil in a tournament in the Netherlands, Lucas was called up to try out in Eindhoven.

“I remember the people in Twente didn’t like it. I don’t know if it had something to do with it, but after that, we didn’t go there again. I ended up staying a month later in Anderlecht, which was very good. I was very young, and didn’t speak the language And I spent a lot of time on my own. I just trained and came home,” he said.

In it, he received the call from São Paulo for a two-year loan contract and returned to Brazil.

“I played in Cuba Sao Paulo 2013, then Nee Franco took me to the professional. I worked with Autori and Morrissey, who helped me a lot. I really wanted to stay in Sao Paulo, but he came to Udinese and I went to Italy.”

In the Italian team, he played alongside such well-known names as Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Edenilson (International) and Alan (Everton). Since he played several times, he was loaned to Panathinaikos and Estoril, where he managed to stand out.

“I had to play there anyway because I played a little bit in Europe. It was my chance. Unfortunately the team fell, but I did so well that I was sold to Nantes at the request of coach Miguel Cardoso,” he said.

Lucas’ teammates were Brazilians Diego Carlos, Lucas Lima and Andre Girouto. In addition, he played alongside Argentine Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash while on his way to play for Norwich, in the English Premier League.

“He was a very hardworking man, and he worked a lot after training with submission. Unfortunately, a tragedy happened and everyone was very sad for a long time,” he said.

With Cardoso gone, Lucas lost space and went to Vitoria de Guimarães for a season. Upon his return to Nantes, in the middle of 2020, he learned of Red Bull Bragantino’s interest in signing him.

Only one address is missing.

After the clubs reached an agreement, the midfielder joined a young team looking for space on the national and European stage.

“Since I arrived I feel at home, a good environment. I was well received. When there are a lot of medals, the probability of some ego on the road is greater. The environment is healthier. No man throws a tantrum because he does not play.”

Since initiating Red Bull management, Bragantino was a runner-up at Sudamericana last year, reaching the semi-finals with Paulistão, as well as making his debut for the Conmebol Libertadores.

“This is a club that doesn’t miss anything, it’s very organised. We have a lot of quality and we push ourselves a lot to get titles after doing good campaigns. That’s what’s missing.”

In the group stage of the Libertadores, the team made its debut with a home victory over Nacional-Auro.

“Libertadores is already thinking about the training, which has become more intense (laughs). The level of internal competition has increased. It is a different tournament because it has more physical contact. We want to have a good tournament. Last year.”

“I try not to think too much about the future because I’m coming back from an injury and I can no longer feel anything in the adductor muscle. I’m working on getting my space back.”