The victory of the Taça Rio was celebrated in a measured way by the players and the Botafogo fans, on Sunday night at the Nilton Santos stadium, but one of the big news of the 2-0 victory over Boavista was the return of Patrick de Paula to the fields , after 400 days. The period was lived thanks to a serious injury to his left knee, suffered at a time when he was still looking for affirmation at the club, and in which he began to need to demonstrate a lot of commitment behind the scenes.
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The midfielder was purchased from Palmeiras in March 2022, carrying the status of having been the first major signing of the black and white SAF, under the command of John Textor, costing six million euros (just over R$30 million at the price at the time ).
After a season of adaptation, he was looking for more space with Luis Castro in 2023, when he suffered a serious injury in a classic against Flamengo, in February, for the Campeonato Carioca. When he stepped on the lawn at the Mané Garrincha stadium, he tore several ligaments in his left knee.
Reinforced team
From that game played in Brasília, a long journey began for Patrick to step onto a football field again. The following month, he underwent “complex surgery”, as the club itself announced at the time, giving an exact 12-month deadline for full recovery.
After all, the problem was not simple at all, as the player had suffered an injury to the lateral ligament, the cruciate ligament, both menisci (medial and lateral) and the femoral condyle.
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— I was always talking to my psychologist, who I have separated, and with the Botafogo psychologist, to always be in a good headspace. I was also close to people who are always supporting me — said Patrick in an interview with GLOBO, in December last year.
At that point, he had undergone all types of treatment at the club and with personally hired professionals. To have the necessary support, he increased his personal team, including physical trainer Rafa Winicki — with whom he had been training since the end of 2022 — as well as a coach, nutritionist and osteopath.
Extra time in DM
It was very important to keep his head on straight, which led him to consult with the black and white psychology sector. Training every day, there was no shortage of struggle for a signing that generated such expectations and encountered so many setbacks. The return to CT Lonier’s pitch, along with the rest of the squad, took place this year.
However, it took a little longer than the expected 12 months to ensure that he would be 100% again. The final stretch of the readaptation period was accompanied by newly arrived players who were also recovering from injuries, such as strikers Luiz Henrique and Jeffinho, and goalkeeper John.
Finally, Patrick de Paula was once again listed for a match on Sunday night. On the Nilton Santos field, the number 8 played 25 minutes during the second half, which resulted in 13 touches of the ball, three duels won and a free kick taken close to the goal.
At 24 years old, the midfielder is facing a new chance to prove himself at Botafogo and resume his career. The crying during this Sunday’s game served as an outlet and relief for an athlete who traveled a rocky path to be able to be a professional player again.
