![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() It was during his time with Werder that he scored one of the most satisfying goals of his career, if not necessarily the most crucial. His subsequent move to Werder Bremen might have been seen as underwhelming when contrasted with his reputation just a couple of years prior, but it was at the German club where he played not only the best football of his own career but arguably the best of any member of that Santos golden generation. Things didn’t work out, though, with managerial upheaval and on-pitch struggles forming an imperfect storm for the Brazilian. While Robinho’s next move was an obvious one as soon as Real Madrid came calling and team-mate Alex was snapped up by Chelsea at the earliest opportunity, Diego got unlucky with his first European venture.īefore Robinho and another star, Elano, left South America, the 19-year-old joined Champions League winners Porto in the summer of 2004 as they looked to replace Barcelona-bound Deco. It was as if he had walked out onto the pitch seeing himself as the hero of the piece, ensuring everything slowed down for him as he set about fulfilling his destiny. He calmly strode forward, ensuring no defenders blocked his route to goal, before planting a shot in the top corner which Perez could only get fingertips to as it evaded both the goalkeeper and a covering defender on the line. While others might have panicked and flashed a shot in the vague direction of the goal, Diego knew that wasn’t necessary. With Santos trailing in their first leg in Mexico against Cruz Azul, Oscar Perez flew out of his box to head clear, and Diego picked up the loose ball. He might not have been alive to witness the likes of Zico and Socrates, but there were times you felt he saw himself as their heir.ĭiego may have only scored one goal in the 2003 knockout stages, but it was special enough to feel like three on its own. His mop of dark hair marked him out as an aesthete more than an athlete, like a child cosplaying as one of the Brazilian greats from the early 80s. But he had already set about developing the aesthetic of a well-travelled and eccentric playmaker. Like Robinho, Diego was still in his teens when Santos fell just short against a Carlos Tevez-inspired Boca Juniors in 2003. However, for those watching from afar, midfield maestro Diego was just as eye-catching. Robinho was seen as the star, the teenage striker breaking through in the 2002 title run and banging in the goals at home and in continental competition as Santos reached the 2003 final and the last eight the following year. During the early 2000s, when the Copa Libertadores had pride of place on terrestrial TV in the early hours of the morning, Emerson Leao’s Santos side were a sight to behold. ![]()
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