Captain at the Copa América, Danilo details how he deals with young players from the national team

Chosen by Dorival Júnior to wear the armband during the Copa América, right-back Danilo detailed how he deals with the responsibility of being the captain of the Brazilian team at the age of 32 and being one of the most experienced in the squad that is preparing for the competition. in the United States.

With more than 10 years of having his name remembered on the national team's call-up lists, Danilo has always played a leadership role within the Brazilian dressing room, the player is responsible for guiding young players who arrive, in addition to frequently being present at meetings with the committee. technique and with the CBF board, the athlete is already known for his motivational speeches before matches.

Divided responsibility

Recognized for his good oratory and his great discursive capacity, the full-back is welcomed by Dorival Júnior to wear the group leader armband, but the responsibility is shared with other more experienced athletes, such as goalkeeper Alisson and defender Marquinhos. Danilo makes it clear that the captain's belt is symbolic and that the power of leadership is divided between these athletes.

After the 1-1 draw against the United States, last Wednesday, the new captain of the team spoke about wearing the armband, “I accept this responsibility. I think I have full capacity to play this role here,” said the full-back.

Interested in topics related to psychology within sport, Danilo seeks to show young people how important it is to stay mentally well during matches, “I have the ability to suffer within matches and within my career, to get up after falls and defeats. . That’s what I’ve been trying to pass on to this new generation that plays a lot of ball, that has a lot of quality, we have to increase their ability to suffer in games.”

_{Danilo is watched by Dorival Júnior in a match against the USA (Photo: reproduction/Instagram/@daniluiz2)}

Inspiration from other leaders

In addition to the national team, Danilo is also captain of Juventus, the club he plays for in Italy. There, the full-back worked with his greatest example of leadership and the greatest inspiration to perform the role he has today, Gianluigi Buffon. “I have had the happiness of working with many important people, and Buffon is my model of leadership and captain”.

In addition to the historic Italian goalkeeper, Danilo mentioned other leaders he worked with and seeks to take a little from each to be able to use with the new generation, “lots of intelligent people with incredible leadership power like Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Vicent Kompany and Fernandinho”.

Danilo's mission as captain of the team begins on the 24th, the date of Brazil's debut in the Copa América against Costa Rica, in California.

Featured photo: Danilo on the field as captain of the Brazilian team (Reproduction/Instagram/@daniluiz2)