Donato, at 57, is still in the news despite hanging up his boots 17 years ago after serving at Atlético de Madrid (1988-93) and Deportivo (1993-2003). The Brazilian lived the landing of Jesús Gil at Atlético and the best years of the Coruña team. In his long career, he has collected countless anecdotes with famous people from our football. Luis Aragonés, Djukic, Djalminha, Jesús Gil …. Some of them he has told on the Youtube channel 'Idols'.
Deportivo's bad situation: “We never thought that Dépor could go down so much. We have to 'make this team go back to the elite.”
Landing to Atlético de Jesús Gil: “Jesús Gil always told me that I was the worst deal he had ever made in his life by letting me go to Deportivo. He even told his mother off. When Cerezo called me to tell me that they had sold me, the first thing I did was ask if Miguel Ángel Gil Marín knew because he always said that I would never leave while he was there. But it turns out that he was on his honeymoon … “.
Fighting by Luis Aragonés: “He is the best coach I have ever had. He conveyed confidence and always defended the players. I learned a lot with him. As a coach and as a person he was a great friend. We were playing a preseason game and I missed a penalty. They whistled another and I didn't shoot it. and he gave me a tremendous anger. 'You should take the penalty! You! Whoever does not miss the penalty is the priest of my people because he never shoots them. “
The character of the 'Sage of Hortaleza': “One day we lost and he was very angry. That we were nobody, that we were worthless. I caught his attention. I told him that it wasn't like that either. Before we were phenomena and now we were worthless. I scold him and everything the world was silent. He listened to me and did not speak at all. I was worried about the fight I had hit him in front of everyone and I went to ask for forgiveness. And he gave me another scolding: 'You don't have to ask! sorry, you spoke what you had to speak! I like men who speak to your face. “I had 20 coaches and I never saw a person like that. That character he had. Of speaking to people:” I'm going to take you by the neck “Let's go out to hell.” But the thing ended there and we went well. If it was someone else, I would make the cross for you and you would play more. “
Luis Aragonés and Donato.
JESUS AGUILERA (DIARIO AS)
Simeone or Luis Aragonés ?: “With Luis Aragonés we won two Copa del Rey titles, but I think that Simeone is doing a great job. I played against him. We hit each other on the field, we had our own particular pique on the field.”
The day Simeone called Rivaldo 'black': “Simeone kicked and had bad temper. He stepped on, pulled your hair … As you got lost, he gave you a host. He gave me and I waited for my moment and when I could … PUM! We were always like that. One Once, we went to play against Atlético de Madrid and when we went out to warm up, you hear Rivaldo say: “You black bastard, I'm going to break your leg!” Look at him, before the game. But these things always stayed there. a respect and a love and I also to him “.
Piques with Alfaro: “Pablo Alfaro off the pitch seems like a lady, a kind, educated and phenomenal person, but on the pitch the kid was tough. He was a very tough defense. They didn't forgive anyone. In a match against Sevilla, I went to clear A head ball and I carried a host in my spine … I couldn't see the license plate, but I thought or it was Pablo Alfaro or Javi Navarro. I told Alfaro I'm going to kill you and he told me it wasn't him. And I said then it was Javi Navarro “.
Arsenio Iglesias and Djukic's penalty: “No one understands until today why I am leaving the game. I had a very bad time. I was one of those who did not go to dinner. I tried to motivate the dressing room, but I passed through the Cuatro Caminos square and it was full as if we had won the League. To tell you the truth, I wanted to crash with the car and disappear. “
Djalminha's header to Irureta: “I don't agree with Djalminha's attitude, but I don't agree with Irureta's attitude either. You have to know how to keep your papers and calm down and Irureta was a coach who faced the player. He didn't know how to hold an argument. He got nervous and he was facing the player. Djalminha's attitude is not right, but a coach, your boss, orders you to take that place … and what about you? “.