At 44, ageless Nenê returns to Botafogo-PB and delivers again

At 44, ageless Nenê returns to Botafogo-PB and delivers again Nenê will turn 45 next Sunday (19), the day the FIFA World Cup will come to an end. And the “everlasting” midfielder once again showed that he is still making a difference. After a stint as a reporter for CazéTV in the United States, he returned to Botafogo da Paraíba on Sunday (12) in style: he was involved in the first goal and helped set up the second in the 2-0 win over Confiança. He started for Belo and, even in the 32nd minute of the second half, beat an opponent in a sprint before setting up Kayon: The Red Star Black-and-Whites are currently sixth in Série C and are on course to qualify for the second phase.  With six goals, Nenê is one of Série C’s top scorers. He also leads in another category: goal involvements, with four assists.  He had already made the difference in helping Belo win this year’s Paraíba State Championship.  He impressed in training with Brazil 🇧🇷 and France 🇫🇷 That performance against Confiança — which earned him the man-of-the-match award — came four days after he drew attention during a France training session in the United States. Nenê showed up hoping to meet Rabiot, his former PSG teammate, and Maignan, who came through the club’s youth ranks. He spoke with both and also became a talking point while chatting with Mbappé and Didier Deschamps. Both were surprised by the fact that Nenê is still playing. Olise, for example, waited his turn to greet the “boy grandpa.”  Nenê played successfully for PSG between 2010 and 2012. He is still the last Brazilian to finish as Ligue 1’s top scorer (2011/12), and he was also part of the squad that would go on to win the 2012/13 season title. He had already been a “main attraction” while taking part in coverage of a Brazil national team training session. He was even “invited” by Ancelotti to join in and complete the session.  He only missed out for Belo because of suspension Nenê’s participation in CazéTV’s World Cup coverage had already been arranged before he signed with Botafogo. At first, the attacking midfielder took part in studio broadcasts as a commentator. In other words, he continued playing normally for the club. His debut with the microphone came on June 13. Two days later, he was in Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, to face Ypiranga. The run then continued with matches against Volta Redonda (6/20) and Brusque (6/30) — both in João Pessoa.  He only did not play against Anápolis (the match Botafogo won on the 5th) because of an accumulation of yellow cards. He returned against the aforementioned Confiança and made the difference once again.  So far, he has played in 11 of Botafogo’s 14 Série C matches.  Photo: Reproduction/Botafogo This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.