Opinion – Walter Casagrande Jr.: Why I won’t be part of the Lula government’s transition

I was super honored to have been invited by President Lula to be part of the sport’s transition team.

I accepted right away, because I have ideas for important projects for the base categories. But, as I am a columnist for Sheet and UOL, I had to go back, because it would conflict with my work.

As I pride myself on my straightforward style, of being a completely independent commentator and columnist, of not owing favors to anyone, I realized that perhaps that independence would diminish.

I have said many times that there are three things I do not negotiate: my freedom, my sobriety and our democracy. So I continued in the consistency of my professional ethics.

That doesn’t stop me from informally sending my projects to the transition team. And they will be able to assess whether my vision makes sense.

I worry a lot about the mental health of boys and girls who are starting football. Many come from the poorest part of our society, from broken families, living very close to violence and drug trafficking. But they are talented young people who need opportunities.

The medical department of clubs needs to have a psychologist or a psychologist to help with the mental health of these boys and girls.

Because they grow up without preparation, for success or failure. Those who come from a poor family and start earning money often need a psychological structure to deal with it.

Just like the one who is a very good player, but the future doesn’t happen as the family imagined. This young man runs a serious risk of getting lost due to the strong frustration he may feel.

Another important factor that mental health professionals can help young athletes is choices.
Because football offers a lot of cool things, a lot of doors open. But some have a terror behind them, like drugs and alcohol.

How many great athletes have been lost along the way because of this?

Two more current examples of super talented players: Jobson, who played for Botafogo, and Diogo Victor, who emerged as a star at Santos’ base. They wasted talent because of this very unfavorable encounter for those who are not prepared.

Psychological follow-up will deal with emotional problems, the difficulties of dealing with things, and this is little worked on at the base of the clubs.

I think it’s important, in the case of football, to be open to everyone and not just the boys and girls who can afford the schools. More free options, through public policies, for kids to play soccer.

Sport is the greatest means of social inclusion and acceptance of differences, with a very large potential to transform society (for the better).

Not to mention that the talent of young players often saves an entire family. In some rarer cases, with reflections on entire communities. And that needs to be worked on. A teenager of 13, 14, 15 years old cannot have this weight, this pressure, this responsibility on his back.

Anyway, I have a lot on my mind that could help in the training not only of football players. But, mainly, citizens.

I am happy with this possibility of collaboration, even if it is from afar.