Donato Gama da Silva: The Pride of a Generation
The beginnings of Donato Gama da Silva in the world of the spherical they go back to their hometown, in the ranks of América de Rio, from which he would pass to Vasco Gama as the main club in his sporting life. Not so in his heart.
He came to Spain as a Vasco de Gama player and one of the greats noticed him. Atlético de Madrid seemed to be very interested in the youngster due to his dribbles and impossible goals. So much so that he ended up signing him for the season 1988-89. In the Madrid club he soon found a place, but there was a problem, never having been international.
Circumstance that led to Jesus Gil, one of the most peculiar presidents of the years 90, to recommend adopting Spanish nationality, so as not to occupy a place abroad. A decision that ended, in 1990, with a devastated Donato at the loss of being called up by the Brazilian coach Sebastiao Lazaroni, for him Italy World Cup 90.
The player's next important step, once its ownership is questioned, for having four foreigners in the team, is to agree to apply for dual nationality. Curiously in May 1991, when Vicente Miera was appointed national coach, Donato made some statements in which he clearly positioned himself in favor of this technician, because he considered that if Clemente had left, it would be very difficult for him to be chosen as a player for the Spanish team. In 1993, Donato decided to leave the team, moved by the events that affected the workforce. So that, after 5 seasons in the mattress club, the footballer communicated his wish to be traded.
Donato's arrival at the ‘Superdepor’
The season ended and with the start of the summer transfer campaign, the 12 July 1993, Donato was officially transferred to Deportivo de la Coruña. A transfer that caught him surprised, since by then he had settled down to stay one more year at Atlético, and that neither liked the Galician fans.
Donato, as if it were a juvenile who reaches the first division, had to show what he still treasured in his boots. Which he did season by season until he won the admiration and affection of the public in La Coruña., showing that he could play as a midfielder, central defender, and he even once did it as a goalkeeper. Some qualities that were enhanced by the wonderful "tandem" that formed with players like Mauro Silva, Voro, Dukic and Ribera, and what allowed him to achieve, despite his defensive position, Mark 10 goals in the same season.
A great career with the Spanish team
But nevertheless, the midfielder would receive one of the greatest joys in his time with Spain. Donato was summoned for the selection by Javier Clemente, the 6 November 1994, replacing Fernando Hierro and to occupy the position of midfielder. I would do it in front of the selection of Denmark, the 16 of November. A group meeting 2 qualification for the final phase of the Eurocup 1996, that Spain won for 3-0, in which Donato had greater relevance by scoring the second of the Spanish goals. A move that allowed him to wear the shirt of "the red" as an absolute international even in 12 occasions.
Donato, in one of his matches with the Spanish soccer team / EFE (Archive)
The author of the goal that certified the League of the year 2000 for Depor
Donato scored the goal that certified Deportivo de la Coruña as champion of the League 1999-00. That 19 May of the already distant year 2000, how could it be otherwise, he was going to bear the stamp of one of the best players in the history of the blue and white club. That day the Hispanic-Brazilian put more if possible his name in all the high.
But as for everyone, the years go by, and after the exploits with the selection and 10 spectacular years that marked the best stage in the history of Deportivo de La Coruña, Donato decides to hang up his boots in the year 2003. The player said goodbye with almost 41 years of playing fields, but never football. Currently, the Hispanic-Brazilian has the coach's license, and he has already trained the Montañés club, Deportivo's quarry club.
In an interview in 2018, Donato declared that "There is no more love for the shirt", but we know that no one has ever felt colors as much as he. A feeling that he shares with the fans, that you have seen him leave behind 3 Carioca Championships, 4 King's Cups, 3 Spanish Super Cups and 1 Spanish league. Definitely, a golden decade of the Galician club that has a name and surname.
