Brazil’s third top scorer in 2021 is a threat to São Paulo in the Copa do Brasil

The duel between Atlético-MG and Flamengo, last Sunday (20), for the Supercopa do Brasil, put the two top scorers in Brazilian football in 2021 face to face. Both, as usual, left their mark.

Hulk, who scored 36 goals last year, scored for the Minas Gerais team in a 2-2 draw. On the other hand, Gabigol, responsible for 34 goals for the Carioca club last season, also scored his own in regulation time, but saw the Flamengo be defeated in the penalty shootout.

This Thursday (24), at 9:30 pm, in Campina Grande, a goalscorer less used to the spotlight than the duo, but not so far from them in terms of numbers, will have his opportunity to shine against an elite opponent.

Olávio, a 28-year-old forward for Campinense, was third in the ranking of top scorers in national football in 2021, with 26 goals scored by Atlético Cearense and Volta Redonda-RJ (tied with Gilberto, ex-Bahia, and Joãozinho, from Nova Venécia-RJ). ES).

Opponent of São Paulo in the first round of the Copa do Brasil, the player who placed himself on the podium next to Hulk and Gabigol wants to take his chance against the tricolor team to classify the Paraibanos to the next phase. The Paulistas need only a draw to advance.

“2021 was a very blessed year”, says Olávio to sheet. “For me it was a privilege to be the third [artilheiro do Brasil]. Hulk and Gabigol have the Brazilian national team level and I’m always inspired by the best. When I was the top scorer in Cearense and saw everyone commenting on my name, I wanted more. And that was my motivation, to be among the top scorers in Brazil.”

Of the 26 goals he scored last season, 14 were in the Campeonato Cearense, for Atlético-CE, which gave him the top scorer award in the competition. The athlete scored another eight in Series D and two more in the Fares Lopes Cup, in addition to the two in Series C with the Volta Redonda shirt, where he played on loan.

Born in Missão Velha, Ceará, Olávio started his career as a defensive midfielder, but he never had such important offensive numbers as in 2021. Until he became a forward, a position in which he had never played before. The change benefited him by bringing him closer to the opposing goal.

“Two years ago I played the role of third midfielder. Last year, with Professor Raimundo Wagner, I was a center forward, a role in which I adapted very well. adaptation. Professor Raimundo was a fundamental guy, because he believed I could play this role”, says the player, who takes advantage of his height (1.84 m) to take advantage of the aerial game.

Facing a Rogério Ceni team is nothing new for Olávio. With passages by several Ceará clubs, including Icasa and Ferroviário, the player had some chances to play against Fortaleza commanded by the former goalkeeper. In none of them, however, he managed to score.

For the 2018 State Championship, defending Guarani de Juazeiro, he saw Ceni’s team score 4-0. The following year, for Barbalha, another defeat, this time 3-1.

“I didn’t have the opportunity to score against Rogério’s teams. They were strong teams, always good defensively. When I faced Rogério, it got a little complicated”, recalls Olávio.

Despite the memory of difficult confrontations, there is a joy that the Campinense striker shares, even if indirectly, with the opposing coach.

Flamenguist in childhood due to the influence of his parents, Olávio saw many members of his family celebrate the 2020 Brazilian Championship title won by the red-blacks. In charge was Rogério Ceni, who would later also be champion of the State of Rio de Janeiro and the Supercopa do Brasil before being fired at the beginning of 2021.

“I have an admiration for Rogério. Those who are the best at what they do, we want to be like them”, says Olávio.

“But today the family is Campinense”, completes the striker, to leave no doubt as to which team his family wants to see advance in the Copa do Brasil.