Brazilian player Sao opens up for the first time after years of commitment to Vietnam

Midfielder Luiz Antonio shares with ESPN Brazil his deep impression of Vietnamese food and confirms his wish to stay in Vietnam for a long time

Midfielder Luiz Antonio (Haiphong Club) has just shared with ESPN Brazil about his journey playing in Vietnam, highlighting his strong impression of the cuisine and his desire for a long-term commitment.

Developed from the Flamengo academy, Luiz Antonio played in several countries before coming to V.League. The turning point came when coach Velizar Popov contacted him after being convinced by his profile, especially his time wearing the Flamengo jersey, which once produced the legend Zico.

In his early days at Thanh Hoa, the Brazilian midfielder faced many difficulties in communication and daily life. However, what shocked him most was Vietnamese cuisine, with many unfamiliar dishes and cooking methods different from his homeland.

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Luiz Antonio said: “Here, they don’t speak much English so communication was quite difficult at first. I had to learn some basic words, use gestures, or rely on a translator. They have a characteristic sticky rice, soft like Japanese rice, chicken that is almost raw, and even dog meat, a different kind of meat not everyone likes to eat. They eat all sorts of things like frog, chicken, fish, pork with crispy skin. They eat many soup dishes and drink a lot of tea. If you’re not careful, you might eat strange dishes and get a stomach ‘shock.’ But gradually I adapted more and started trying many dishes.”

After the adaptation process, Luiz Antonio increasingly enjoys life in Vietnam. He appreciates the living environment, the friendliness of the people, and the love for football. “This is my third season in Vietnam and I really enjoy life here. There are many beautiful cities, many interesting things I hadn’t thought of before. This place has quite a few similarities with Brazil. Haiphong is very similar to Rio de Janeiro in some aspects,” he shared.

On the pitch, Luiz Antonio quickly established his role thanks to his versatility, being able to play in various positions. He stated: “Through football, I gained respect from Vietnamese fans, from clubs I played for and faced, as well as from the media, referees, and coaches. When I first arrived, many were skeptical because I was no longer young, but if you prepare well, have a stable physical foundation, and demonstrate ability, age is no longer an issue.”

Looking toward the future, the midfielder born in 1991 aims to extend his career like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon. He affirmed: “I plan to stay in Vietnam for a long time. The culture, education, and security here are all very good. I want to play football until around 40, then consider the future. Vietnam has given me opportunities and recognized what I’ve shown, so I don’t see a reason to constantly change environments.”