Brazilian forward Zeca (28, Shandong Taishan), who once made a strong impression on K League fans while playing in Daegu and Pohang, revealed his plans for the latter part of his career.
In an interview with the Brazilian media 'Lance', Zeca reflected on his past three years in Asia. Starting at Daegu FC, moving on to Pohang Steelers, and currently playing for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League, he even expressed that he might "finish his playing career in China."
Zeca, who has experience on the Asian stage spanning three countries, gave an honest answer when asked to compare Korean and Chinese football.
Zeca commented, "Chinese football has developed a lot, but I still think it lags behind Japan and Korea. Japan is the strongest in this region, and Korea and China are competing at a similar level."
He added, "Chinese football is a market that is growing every day. The speed of development is fast not only in terms of simple performance but also in the overall league system, support, and infrastructure."
His satisfaction with life in China was deeper than expected. Zeca said, "Everything is in place here. Life is peaceful and stable. I can live without stress, both financially and professionally. There is no constant pressure like in Brazil. Here, you can experience different cultures and cities just by taking a train. It’s an incredibly attractive country."
He also indirectly ruled out the possibility of returning to the K League. Zeca stated, "I am now 28 years old, and I have no thoughts of going back to another country right away. Of course, the future is uncertain, but as of now, I want to finish my playing career here. My goal is to build my legacy while playing in China for a long time."
When asked about the possibility of returning to the Brazilian league or European stage, Zeca spoke with a more assertive tone.
He said, "Players usually say they dream of playing in Brazil or Europe. I don't. I've never had such a dream. I am very satisfied with this life right now, and I have no anxiety about playing here."
He added, "There are players who didn't get the chance to play for the best clubs in Brazil like São Paulo, Flamengo, and Corinthians who can achieve their dreams here in China. They can earn money and enjoy a stable life. If someone has this opportunity, they won't regret coming even with their eyes closed."
Of course, the time spent in the K League is also a precious memory for him. In particular, his performance in the 2023 FA Cup (Korea Cup) final is still vivid for him.
Zeca recalled, "I was a Korea Cup champion with Pohang. It was my second club in Korea, and I scored the equalizing goal in the final against Jeonbuk, leading us to victory. It was a very special moment as it was the first championship of my career."
Zeca made his debut in K League 1 in 2022 with Daegu FC, recording 7 goals and 7 assists in his first season over 28 matches, while showcasing an overwhelming performance of 7 goals in 7 matches in the AFC Champions League. The following year, he transferred to Pohang, contributing significantly to the team’s victory with 12 goals and 7 assists in the league and 2 goals in the FA Cup.
After transferring to Shandong in January 2024, he is opening a new chapter in his career in the Chinese Super League. Although he struggled initially with ligament and meniscus injuries, he quickly recovered after returning from injury, scoring 10 goals and providing 7 assists in 25 matches, establishing himself as a key forward for the team.
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