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Seedorf's Diary: Jefferson The Lone Star
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Botafogo are known as
Estrela Solitaria by their loyal supporters. This translates to Lone Star. The first star to appear at night is the star Botafogo now where on their kits week in week out.
One player who has put on that shirt so many times is Jefferson. A loyal, reliable and courageous goalkeeper who has been such a brilliant servant to Botafogo for so many years now. Just says before this diary entry, Jefferson received his first full Brazil cap in a match against France.
Jefferson is a player that deserves so many more caps for Brazil. He has always played that quiet understudy. Never complaining, never throwing a tantrum about this or that - he plays for the team.
That is why he is so valuable to our team, and he is going to be the first name I check for on the teamsheet when we go into undoubtedly our biggest game of the season against Fluminense. Our bitter rivals.
He has been there and done it so many times before. Many people will always look to the flashy players like Lodeiro, Marques and Renato when looking for the key player on the team but not many people look to the goalkeeper spot, where out custodian sits.
I considered asking Luiz Felipe Scolari to drop him from the Brazil squad so he could train with our boys before the big match. But after picking up the phone, and just seconds before dialling the former Chelsea manager's number, I thought again.
To take this away from a player that has done so much for the club, and me, would be a criminal offence! How could I take this glimmer of hope, maybe of starting in his home country in the biggest sporting event in the world, away from him?
I put down the phone, and congratulated Jefferson on his call up, and told him to go make the most of it, and that he truly deserving of it.
Note: Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson made his first ever international cap in a 1-1 draw with France for Brazil in a friendly. This is about 50 caps too less for a player of his loyalty and reliability.
