Hadson Nery , former football player and participant in Big Brother Brasil 20, shares his journey from the fields to the spotlight of fame. In this exclusive interview, he reveals the challenges and lessons learned when playing in different countries, highlights the remarkable influence of Jorge Jesus on his career and shares his ambitious plans for the future.
Throughout the conversation, Hadson talks about his transition from football to entertainment, describes his experience on the reality show and shares how the sports mindset helped him face the challenges of the television show.
Now, turning his attention to the future, Hadson reveals his plans to obtain a UEFA license and manage a major club in Europe, demonstrating determination and focus on achieving new goals in his post-football life.
Hadson , you had a very busy career in football, with spells at several clubs in Brazil and abroad. What was this experience like playing in different countries and cultures?
Indeed, football gave me the privilege of getting to know various places, cities and countries where I played. In addition to learning other languages, the cultural enrichment I acquired is one of my greatest achievements too!
Among the teams you played for, was there one that left a special mark on your career? If so, why was this club so meaningful to you?
Paysandu is my favorite club, being my city’s team and winning titles with them.
You had the opportunity to be coached by Jorge Jesus while you were at União Leiria. What was this experience like working with such a renowned coach, especially considering his later success at Flamengo?
Jorge Jesus was, without a doubt, the best coach I had! He was a turning point in my career, in fact… I grew as a player and as a person! When I found out he was coming to Flamengo, I told my friends that, if the players understood his work philosophy, Flamengo would win everything. And it actually worked.
Your retirement from the sport took place in 2012. What was the transition process like to life after professional football?
In fact, I stopped playing in 2014. When I stopped in 2012, I didn’t play for two years. However, in 2014, as president of Bragantino, a club in Pará, I returned and played three more matches as a professional, but then, in fact, I ended my career! I continued as president for another year and then started taking coaching courses!
In addition to your career as a player, you also participated in the reality show Big Brother Brasil 20. What was the experience like being on a television program after being a professional football player?
Well, this experience was something surreal in my life, something that God put in place and it was an incredible experience, different from anything I had ever experienced as a player. However, a lot of things helped me inside, and especially after the reality show. The fact that he was a football player explains a lot: a strong mentality to not get discouraged after defeats and the discernment to understand everything that happened. The football experience helped a lot.
After your participation in Big Brother Brasil, what were your main projects and activities? Did you continue to be involved in the world of entertainment or did you seek other paths?
After this surreal experience, I immersed myself in the world of entertainment, participating in several TV programs, including another reality show. However, I always maintained the goal of returning to football, this time as a coach.
What is it like to be recognized by the public not only for your work as a football player, but also for your participation in a highly visible program like BBB?
In fact, as I wasn’t a very famous player, having left early to play in other places outside of Brazil, BBB was what brought me into the spotlight of fame. I certainly gained a lot of visibility and, to this day, people know that I was a player, but they remember me mainly because of the reality show!
Do you keep in touch with your football colleagues? If so, what is that relationship like nowadays?
Yes, of course, I keep in touch with several friends I made during my playing career and I’m always in touch with everyone. Thank God, always helping and being helped.
Finally, what are your plans and projects for the future? Do you have any goals or objectives you would like to achieve in the coming years?
So today my plans are to get my UEFA license to manage a club abroad. Last year, I started this project and now I’m living in Andorra, a country neighboring Spain. My focus is to be at a big club in Europe within a few years, following God’s will in my life.
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