Danilo: 'In Madrid, I almost forgot how to play football'

Danilo recently gave a fascinating interview to The Guardian, in which he shared his thoughts on the challenges at Madrid, his time learning under Pep Guardiola, and the importance of mental health in football.

Danilo previously played for Real Madrid.

In the spring of 2015, Real Madrid signed Danilo from Porto with the expectation that he would replace Dani Carvajal. However, life in Madrid did not turn out as the Brazilian defender had hoped. Danilo – now playing for Flamengo – admits that he faced heavy criticism, which led him to seek psychological help.

"At Real Madrid, I felt like I forgot how to play football," he shared. The former "Los Blancos" player said he struggled with the pressure from the media and social networks, to the point where he had to seek the help of a sports psychologist to overcome it.

After leaving Madrid, Danilo joined Manchester City and played under Pep Guardiola. He praised Guardiola as someone who completely changed his perspective on football.

“Guardiola taught me not only how to play football, but also how to think about football. He made me deeply aware of the space on the pitch and always inspired me,” Danilo said. Under Guardiola, the Brazilian full-back had two successful seasons at Etihad, winning two Premier League titles.

Throughout his career, Danilo has faced numerous challenges, but he has remained steadfast in his own path. "I don't need to follow the crowd. Everyone has their own path, and I don't force myself to live like others," he shared about his philosophy of life and competition.

Beyond his football career, Danilo is very interested in mental health in sports. He believes that clubs need to humanize football and pay more attention to the mental health of their players. “When clubs realize that mental health affects the team’s performance and finances, they will have to invest in this area,” he said.

Danilo also founded the "Voz Futura" project in 2020, aiming to raise awareness about mental health, especially during the pandemic. He hopes to help people share and seek support during difficult times.

With his invaluable experience and insightful perspectives on football, Danilo is not only a talented player but also a pioneer in raising awareness about mental health in sports.

Source: https://znews.vn/danilo-tai-madrid-toi-nhu-quen-mat-cach-choi-bong-post1540801.html