Dropped Cleo says he wants to quit Guangzhou
Source: Xinhua |
August 28, 2012, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GUANGZHOU Evergrande striker Cleo has confirmed that he is considering leaving the Chinese Super League champion after he was dropped for the AFC Champions League quarterfinals by coach Marcello Lippi.
"I want to leave as a professional player, not as a person. Because as a professional player, the most important thing for me is the Champions League," the Brazilian said on Sunday.
With 4 goals in 7 matches in the AFC Champions league, including a winner against FC Tokyo in the round of 16, Cleo has been the hero at Evergrande.
"I played very hard in the Champions League; I played every game and scored goals for the team. So it is hard to accept. I discussed the issue with Lippi before I spoke to the press, he understands my thoughts, he respects me, and I respect his decision," he added.
After every home matches, Cleo would go round the stadium and acknowledge the fans whatever the result. "As a person, the fans like me and I like them, I am enjoying my life here. I do my best for the team when the team needs me, I don't want to leave now," he said.
The Brazilian joined the CSL side in February 2011 when Evergrande was just promoted to the top flight. Cleo helped the team clinch the league title by scoring 10 goals in 10 matches.
But the arrival of former Dortmund hitman Lucas Barrios has dented Cleo's chances this season. But the 28-year-old Paraguayan got injured in the CFA Cup match against Liaoning on Wednesday, giving a glimmer of hope to the Brazilian with the AFC Champions League quarterfinals coming up in September.
"I want to leave as a professional player, not as a person. Because as a professional player, the most important thing for me is the Champions League," the Brazilian said on Sunday.
With 4 goals in 7 matches in the AFC Champions league, including a winner against FC Tokyo in the round of 16, Cleo has been the hero at Evergrande.
"I played very hard in the Champions League; I played every game and scored goals for the team. So it is hard to accept. I discussed the issue with Lippi before I spoke to the press, he understands my thoughts, he respects me, and I respect his decision," he added.
After every home matches, Cleo would go round the stadium and acknowledge the fans whatever the result. "As a person, the fans like me and I like them, I am enjoying my life here. I do my best for the team when the team needs me, I don't want to leave now," he said.
The Brazilian joined the CSL side in February 2011 when Evergrande was just promoted to the top flight. Cleo helped the team clinch the league title by scoring 10 goals in 10 matches.
But the arrival of former Dortmund hitman Lucas Barrios has dented Cleo's chances this season. But the 28-year-old Paraguayan got injured in the CFA Cup match against Liaoning on Wednesday, giving a glimmer of hope to the Brazilian with the AFC Champions League quarterfinals coming up in September.
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