From Curiaú to the World: Igor Paixão’s path to the title of the Dutch Championship – News of Brazil
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Lana Caroline
sports editor
Scorer of the winning goal for Feyenoord Rotterdam 3-0 against Go Ahead Eagles to secure the 2022/23 Eredivisie title, Igor Paixão is in Macapá on vacation with his family and to attend the inauguration of Edinoelson Trindade’s arena, known like Careca, whom the man from Amapá has a great affection for and who gave him the opportunity to show his talent.
“At the Zico 10 school it was a very good experience, but before that I already played futsal at São José, when I was seven years old. I had a story in São José with Professor Ronaldinho, in which I thank him for everything. Then I went to Careca’s school and it was difficult to adapt, because it was synthetic grass, but I managed. I am very grateful to Careca for everything”said Igor, in an exclusive interview for the Daily Communication System this Tuesday (13).
With this important victory, the team from Amapa gained the chance to compete in the Champions League, which they had not participated in since 2002/03. Igor says that ever since he arrived in Europe, he has dreamed of this moment.
“It’s a dream to play in the Champions League. So far it hasn’t dawned on me, but God willing, it will work out. I’m going to fulfill my dream and I’m going to be very anxious when I hear the anthem”, spoke between laughs.
On September 8, 2022, the boy raised in the Quilombo do Curiaú debuted for Feyenoord in the match against Lazio, in the Europa League, and lost by 4×2. Paixão only entered in the 41st minute of the second half. In this match, Igor says that even with his nervousness, he managed to show some of his football. “It hit that belly cold, yes. Playing abroad, especially in Italy and with a big team, makes me nervous, but I managed to control it and I was able to show my football in a short time”he said.
Adapting to the new country was a little complicated at first. Taking English classes with his family, Igor says he is more used to it now. “It was difficult to adapt to tactical and physical training, as it’s more intense there. It was difficult to adapt to the language, food, but thank God I adapted”.
Another dream that the man from Amapa seeks to fulfill is that of every Brazilian player: to be called up for the Brazilian national team. “It’s been a dream since I was very young, which is to represent our country. I will work hard for it and with the grace of God I will be there”he explained.
Beginning of a dream
With roots from Curiaú (Father) and Tartarugalzinho (Mother), but born in Macapá, player Igor Paixão began his football career at the age of 07 at São José/AP and at the Zico 10 football school. Passion, it is a huge emotion to see the trajectory of his son.
“I’ve followed his career for a long time, from São José until he left Amapá to join European football. This trajectory is very wonderful, having reached this peak of playing in Europe. I’m sure his career will take a much bigger path than now”he spoke.
The 22-year-old player claims that the family’s influence in childhood was a crucial point for him to pursue his dream, which was to be a football player. “What motivated me the most to play football was my parents, my grandfather and my family supported me in football. Everyone liked football and that made me passionate too”he said.
After some time, Igor Paixão went to carry out tests in some clubs like Santos, Flamengo and Corinthians, being in the latter that he had more chances to stay. From there began the trajectory of the small talent from Amapá out of the state.
“At Corinthians, I passed the first stage of tests and was confident for the second, but I wasn’t. It’s part of the process. I didn’t give up, we worked hard, I auditioned in other cities to join a club and Coritiba opened its doors, I was happy there and made a great story”said Igor.
A Flamengo fan at heart, Igor says that during his tests at Flamengo he got to see one of his idols play and learn a lot. “At Flamengo it was a very good experience. Watched Vini Jr. to play. There’s no way to compete with him, because he’s the best dribbler, and God willing, he’ll be the best in the world. I am inspired by him”, said. In addition to Vini, Neymar is another mirror for the amapaense.
After the amapaense spent a few days being monitored by Flamengo, Igor’s father saw an open sieve for Coritiba, and at the age of 13 the little star went to the southern city and was approved among 40 boys from several states. “Before joining the base, I participated in a sieve and only I passed. At the age of 18, I joined the professional team of Coritiba”he spoke.
After becoming a starter for Coxa, Igor shone in the 2022 Paranaense Championship, scoring the two goals that gave Coritiba the state title and being chosen as the top scorer of the competition, along with the player Léo Ramalho. “It was a very important campaign that I did there together with the Coritiba squad. I was happy for that, for having made history there.”
In August 2022, the player was already in the sights of Feyenoord, who bought 80% of Igor’s economic rights for eight million euros, about R$ 41 million, becoming the biggest sale in the history of the alviverde club. Coxa retained 20% of the player’s economic rights.
The striker quickly became one of the highlights of the winning team this season in the country, after 6 years without the main national title – including scoring a great goal in the match that defined the conquest.
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