Douglas Souza, 26, a social media sensation at the Tokyo 2020 Games, announced late this Thursday night (24) that he is retired from the Brazilian volleyball team. He said in a video that he made the decision to take care of his mental health and be closer to family and friends.
According to the athlete, the signs that show the need to slow down appeared in 2016, but, together with the businessman, he decided to participate in the Tokyo Games before stopping.
“I came to deal with depression,” he said, reporting the heavy routine between the clubs he played for and the national team, with no time for family life. “Our mental health is extremely important, we have to take care of ourselves, treat ourselves, pay attention”.
The athlete continues his sports career in clubs. He said he is negotiating with teams from São Paulo, but did not reveal names. He said, however, that he chose to stay in the state.
“I’m very happy with my decision, because I’ll finally have my time, I’ll be able to slow down,” he said.
The decision ends ten years in the selection, where he started in the base category. “For me it was always an honor, a prestige, a great pride”, he said about that period. “I felt I needed to break down barriers and I managed to do that very well.”
Douglas will continue to act as a digital influencer. On Instagram, where he has 2.6 million followers, the athlete usually shows part of his routine and talks with fans. In announcing his retirement, he thanked him for the support he receives.
The player’s profile on the networks gathers from relaxed posts to messages about political and social debates, such as the defense of LGBTQIA+ rights.
On Twitter, where he is followed by 251,800 people, the athlete showed a Globo badge before announcing his retirement, without revealing which program he will participate in.
Born in Santa Bárbara d’Oeste, 138 km from São Paulo, Douglas started playing because he needed to play sports due to bronchitis. Volleyball emerged in 2008, the year in which Brazil won a silver medal at the Olympics with names like Giba and Dante.
He arrived at Pinheiros in 2012 and passed through São Bernardo and Sesi until he reached Taubaté, a team with which he won the Superliga twice in 2021.
At the end of last year, the pointer was accused by Italian club Vibo Valentia of leaving the team without authorization or explanations.
“The club, deeply disappointed by the athlete’s inexplicable behavior, will take every action to ensure the interests of the team,” the team said.
Douglas celebrated his return to Brazil. Only you know what you go through. Only you know what you feel. Don’t let anyone tell you what you have to look for to be happy,” he said at the time.
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