Last Wednesday (8), Athletico Paranaense visited Caracas to face the Venezuelan team, Deportivo Rayo Zuliano. At the Brígido Iriarte Stadium, the same venue where the recent Pre-Olympic Championships were held, the Brazilian team, led by Cuca, showed no mercy and beat the Zulian team 1-5, but in addition to the win, an eye-catching coincidence generated hundreds of laughter and comments on social networks.
As soon as the match started, it could be seen, with mutual surprise faces, how Elvis Martínez, coach of Rayo Zuliano and Cuca, were wearing exactly the same shirt, a fact that was explained by the Brazilian coach once the match was over: “I know I gave it here and, to my surprise, he wore it during the game,” he commented at a press conference.
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A gift from Cuca and a nice coincidence
After the heavy defeat against the Zulian team, Cuca had very kind words towards Elvis Martínez’s project, ensuring that they have a project destined to succeed. However, he also had time to explain the curious coincidence regarding the shirt of Our Lady of the Conception Aparecida:
Que história! 👏
Cuca falou sobre a camiseta que deu de presente ao técnico do Rayo Zuliano. E que foi usada pelo treinador adversário no jogo de ontem.Veja na Rede Furacão o vídeo completo da entrevista:
🎥 https://t.co/9OSIdWwgHT #Athletico #Sudamericana pic.twitter.com/HcbnlQhqHX— Athletico Paranaense (@AthleticoPR) May 9, 2024
“The Saint’s shirt, which I promised him back in Brazil, I gave it to him here (to Elvis Martínez) and, to my surprise, he wore it during the game. I am very happy to spread my faith and to have a friend who has worn Our Lady’s shirt. I am very happy for him too,” she assured.
In this regard, Elvis Martínez confirmed the story and thanked the Brazilian coach for the gift and for his words towards his project:
“I spoke with Cuca, we all know his story. I was surprised by his knowledge (about Rayo Zuliano). He congratulated me and told me that our coaching staff was going to succeed (…). He (Cuca) is very Catholic, and I told him the same thing, that beyond football we are Christians.”
The Deportivo Zuliano strategist was born in Mérida, a very Catholic Venezuelan state, and it is not surprising that this beautiful coincidence was due to a factor of faith.
Rayo Zuliano celebrated the coincidence: “Brothers of faith”
On its social networks, the Zulian club echoed the statements of Cuca and Elvis to send a message of unity, showing photos of the coaches’ conversation under the legend:
“Moments that only football gives us. Elvis Martínez, our coach, and Cuca, coach of Athletico Paranaense. Brothers of faith.”
¡𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐨́𝐥𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐬 𝐝𝐚 𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐮́𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐥!
Elvis Martínez, nuestro DT, y Cuca, entrenador del @AthleticoPR 🤝🏻 Irmãos na fé. ❤️ @Sudamericana pic.twitter.com/EhwjyNmZJi
— Deportivo Rayo Zuliano (@DvoRayoZuliano) May 9, 2024
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the first five episodes available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.
