Goalkeeper who stopped Coritiba was rejected for being short: “Go study”

When he was ten years old, the goalkeeper who stopped Coritiba last Saturday (11), in the quarterfinals of the from Paranáwas not approved in the sieve of a big club because of his height.

“They said he was good, that he was the best goalkeeper they saw that day, but that he was short and that’s why they didn’t pass me on”, he says. André Luiz Horocoskinow 26 years old.

At the time, the boy lived in Toledo, in western Paraná, a city about 40 km from Cascavel, where the test took place. Without many financial conditions, he and his mother, Kariane, accepted a ride and returned home precisely with the staff of the sieve organizing team.

Halfway through, another disappointment – ​​even bigger than the initial rejection. “They told my mother that I should give up football and study. That I wouldn’t achieve anything, that I would only get frustrated with that dream”, recalls the number 1 of the Rattlesnake.

Injured, mother and son cried a lot after disembarking at the entrance to the city. But the feeling that remained was one of resilience, of overcoming. “Swallow your tears because we’re going to get back on top”, was Kariane’s request to André Luiz.

“One day they would realize the mistake. And this club, which I prefer not to say which it is, really came after me in 2019, with a proposal after Paranaense”, says the archer of 1.80 m.

Add another 3 cm for the cleats, but even then the height is far from what is considered ideal for the position. Who said, however, that what is out of standard cannot succeed? The path is only longer.

Playing for Toledo, André Luiz shone in the first round of the 2019 State, taking two penalty kicks in the decision of the Barcímio Sicupira Cupagainst Coxa, in full Couto Pereira.

He became “Santo André” for the fans of Porco because of the miraculous defenses provided, mainly, by his agility under the beams. Explosion that showed again against Alviverde in Serpente’s classification to the State 2023 semifinals.

“There is a lot of prejudice, it’s a taboo in Brazilian and world football too. But little by little this barrier is being broken that goalkeeper needs to be tall”.

Three days after the gala performance against Coritiba, still scared by the repercussion “commented even by Milton Neves”, André Luiz lived another unforgettable date on Monday (13).

“I just got married in a civil ceremony, can we talk tomorrow?”, he told the reporter, laughing.

The honeymoon with wife Lígia Fernanda on the paradisiacal beach of Japaratinga, in Alagoas, was scheduled for April. “After the Paranaense final”, expects the archer.

Born in Laranjeiras do Sul, 365 km from Curitiba, André Luiz was hired by Cascavel last year, for the D Series.

One of the reasons that made him accept the proposal was the proximity of his maternal grandparents, who had a great participation in his upbringing. “Every game, when they can’t go to the stadium, the first thing I do is stop by their house to tell them how it went. They’re old, I want to be able to take care of them, do something for them”, he says.

Another reason was the possibility of working with goalkeeping coach Gilberto Lopes da Silva Junior, the humpof whom he had heard very well spoken by other friends of rank.

“He needs no comment, he’s a sensational guy, who leaves us prepared for any situation in the game, both mentally and technically”, he praises.

Before arriving at Serpente, André had the biggest opportunity of his career at Operário, where he transferred in the second half of 2019. He even played Série B for Fantasma, but never managed to establish himself.

According to him, off-field situations affected his streak at the Ponta Grossa club. “There were no fights, but decisions made by the coaches, the board. It wasn’t up to me to do anything. I was training to receive opportunities, but unfortunately I didn’t receive them. When I played, I think I did well”, opines the athlete, who also went through the São Joseense, Lagarto-SE and Joinville, but he doesn’t hide that he dreams much bigger.

“Perhaps it wasn’t time to be at a club of greater expression, perhaps God wanted to prepare me for the future to have a greater projection. As players, we all want to be up there, to play in Serie A. I want something bigger, but I believe that for everything there is a plan, a process, so that you can be prepared when that blessing arrives”, he concludes.