Danny and Star Wars. Where did the ex-captain of “Zenith” go?
It is curious that on the same day as the Portuguese, who will turn 34 on August 7, a 35-year-old midfielder became a player in the Prague club with traditional red and white colors. And a little earlier, the ranks of Slavia were replenished by 34-year-old goalkeeper Jan Lashtuvka, a participant in Euro-2012, who, like Rotan, played for, and spent the last season in, and a midfielder who is also 34. Prague club, which, like , will start in a month in the 3rd qualifying round Champions League, made a bet on experience.
Some fans were skeptical about this selection approach, but most look to the future with optimism.
In connection with the acquisitions of Slavia, as well as the transfer of Israeli Ben Haim for almost 3 million euros, we started talking about "star wars", - said a journalist from the Czech newspaper Sport Michal Petrak. - There has never been such an influx of well-known players in the Czech championship. This should have a positive effect on attracting the public to the stadiums. Football fans are looking forward to the show.
The Prague red-and-whites are 17-time champions of the country, but, firstly, they are far from the historical competitor of Sparta with its 33 championship titles, and secondly, the main share of Slavia's success is a long time ago past days. After the "velvet divorce" of the Czech Republic with Slovakia, which entered into force on January 1, 1993, she finished first 4 times. Moreover, in 1996 she won the championship title for the first time since 1947. The break thus lasted almost half a century!
The next victory had to wait another 12 years. With the dominance of "Sparta" in a purely Czech championship, "Slavia" has long been "always second". In the period from 1994 to 2007, she became the vice-champion 9 times. Then she won the tournament twice - and again went into the shadows. Three years ago, I even almost flew out of the top division. Having taken 13th place with 16 participants, the team was only one point ahead of Sigma, which had left the class of the strongest then. Affected by financial debt, which forced the sale of players at the end of 2010.
Among fans, Slavia is called a "Jewish club", although there are no historical grounds for this. Moreover, during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, which began in March 1939, the red-whites won four championships. Admirers of Sparta nicknamed the competitors "Jews" after Slavia insured against bad weather in 1922 friendly match s, and the game - it must happen! - did not take place due to rain. It was postponed the next day, and the club received money from the insurance company.
Rather, there are reasons to call "Slavia" Chinese. Indeed, in the fall of 2015, its controlling stake was acquired by one of the largest private companies in the Middle Kingdom, CEFC China Energy, headquartered in Shanghai.
And last season, the club became the champion of the Czech Republic for the fourth time, although, by our standards, it was purchased modestly. The Slovakia midfielder came from as a free agent. U was acquired for 1 million euros (data transfermarkt.com) 22-year-old defender Sykora, who made his debut on August 31 in, and the Romanian "Botoshtani" for half a million - a central defender, the future winner of the African Cup 2017 in the composition and a participant, whom, however, almost no one knew until last winter.
"The Cameroonian has become the most important figure in the team," noted Petrak.
By the way, among the new champions of the Czech Republic there is also a football player from former USSR. This is a 25-year-old midfielder of the national team of Turkmenistan.
At first, in the Czech Republic they said that the Chinese project was not well thought out, that there was a lot of money, but little music, but Slavia suffered only one defeat in the entire championship, the Czech journalist said. - It happened in the 5th round in Pilsen - 1:3. And under the current head coach Yaroslav Shilkhava, who led the team in September, there were no losses at all.
However, the scale of "Star Wars", of course, is Czech. Danny and other veterans came to Slavia for free. The role of the Chinese energy investor is to provide them with a salary.
Miguel Danny, whose photo you can see in the article, is a Portuguese midfielder, one of the leaders of the Zenit club from St. Petersburg. Throughout his career, he played for Portuguese and Russian clubs, as well as for the youth, Olympic and national teams of his country. As already mentioned, he plays as a midfielder, and also feels good in the place of the forward.
Childhood
The footballer's father was from the Portuguese city of Madeira. In 1979, he left his homeland with two of his friends and moved to the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, where he opened a restaurant and married a local resident. Miguel Danni was born here on August 7, 1983. IN childhood the boy was very interested in cycling and football. Since he was too small for him, the parents decided to send their son to a local football school. He started to succeed very quickly, and soon the guy was here best player. His talent was noticed by the scouts of the Maritimo team, who offered Miguel to transfer to a club school. To do this, it was necessary to go to Portugal, to Madeira. The father and mother were categorically against such an idea, but the persuasions of the grandmother who lived there helped to convince them.
First football steps
Miguel Danny, whose biography as a professional football player began in 1990 with the Maritimo club, moved to Portugal at the age of seven. Ten years later, his parents also moved there. The official debut of the football player as part of his team took place on October 1, 2001. Then, in the national championship match against Gil Vicente, he came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute of the game. He scored his first goal two and a half months later against Salgueiros. During his debut season in Portugal, the footballer took part in 20 matches. He scored five goals in them. Maritimo finished sixth in the final standings.
"Sporting"
At the age of eighteen, Miguel Danni became interested in the country's leading clubs, in particular Porto and Sporting. Since the player himself was a big fan of the first of the mentioned teams, he gave his preliminary consent to go to it. However, the leaders of Maritimu were not satisfied with the amount of the transfer. As a result, for the amount of 2.1 million euros, the player moved to the Lisbon club. Here he played for one year, but did not achieve tangible success. In this regard, the following season, on loan, the athlete returned to his home team. At that time, the coach of "Maritimu" was a domestic specialist Anatoly Byshovets. The coach once said these words about Danny: "Miguel is a very talented and hardworking football player, so he will undoubtedly succeed." The player himself later repeatedly admitted that the Russian mentor taught him a lot.
"Dynamo"
In 2005, the athlete received an offer from Dynamo Moscow, as a result of which he moved to Russia. He played the first match in its composition on March 9. It was a cup meeting against Samara "Wings of the Soviets". At the end of his debut season as part of his club, he was named the best player. In total, the football player spent 94 games in the Dynamo T-shirt, in which he scored 16 goals. It should also be noted that in 2007 his ball against Rostov was recognized as the best in the Russian championship according to the voting results.
"Zenith"
In order to get a player like Miguel Danny, Zenit in August 2008 was forced to pay Dynamo an amount of 30 million euros. At that time, it was the most expensive internal crossing in history. Russian football. For the St. Petersburg team, the athlete made his debut in a meeting against the English club Manchester United in Russian team then won with a score of 2: 1, and Miguel himself scored the decisive goal and was recognized as the best player of the match. The following season, the football player was awarded the tenth game number in the club.
In May 2009, Danny received serious injury in training, because of which he could not go to the football field for 10 months. His return took place in 2010. Then he helped his team defeat Rostov, scoring the only goal in the match. On June 14, 2011, the player extended with Zenit, and on September 29 he played his 100th match as part of the St. Petersburg team. Notable was the fact that the opponent Russian club in that match was the Portuguese Porto, and the player himself distinguished himself in it scored ball. In 2012, the player was once again seriously injured. This time Miguel was forced to miss 8 competitive months. Be that as it may, after returning to the field, he continued to demonstrate a bright and enchanting game. As a result, the football player remains the leader of the St. Petersburg club to this day.
National team
In 2007, the player received an invitation to the Venezuelan national team, but turned it down because he dreamed of playing for Portugal. Miguel Danny made his debut match as part of the national team on August 20, 2008. Then he came on as a substitute against. During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he had three fights, including a 1/8 final match against Spain, in which the Portuguese lost 1-0. For the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, despite an excellent season at the club, for unknown reasons, he was not invited by the head coach of the Paulo Bento team.
The football player scored his first hat-trick in his career on August 3, 2012 in a meeting against Volga from Nizhny Novgorod as part of the Russian championship.
In November 2012, the player was chosen as the captain of Zenit.
After the end of the 2012/2013 season Miguel Danny changed his game number from 10 to 35. He explained such an unexpected decision by the fact that he played with such a number on his back at the beginning professional career in the "Maritimu".
On August 13, 2014, after a goal against Ural, he entered the list of ten top scorers in the history of the St. Petersburg club.
As for his personal life, Miguel is married. His wife's name is Petra. The couple has two sons (twins).
The fact that goodbye to Miguel Danny Several hundred fans came.
“Fans of “Zenith” began to gather on Manezhnaya Square long before the start of the official part of the event. A few cardboard figures of Miguel Danni, despite the warm day, attracted much more attention than the fountain located in the center.
Even when the presenter began to warm up the audience with various competitions dedicated to the ex-captain of blue-white-blue, people approached the mannequins, took pictures and even ... talked to them. However, it was not necessary to speak, everyone could leave a message to the 33-year-old football player, the envelope could then be lowered into a special cup.
No sooner had Danny appeared on Karavannaya Street than dozens of fans surrounded him. Even the chairman of the board of FC Zenit, Sergei Fursenko, remained in the background against the backdrop of such a stir. Everyone wanted to do joint photo with an idol. Danny nevertheless made his way to the stage, where he delivered a farewell speech.
Fans enthusiastically accepted the information that the captain would be seen again in St. Petersburg. After that, Danny and Fursenko opened a special bust of the Portuguese, later it will be moved to the club museum.
Then the videos created by the fans were shown, and the event ended with an autograph session. Danny stayed at the Manezhnaya for several hours, because the audience turned out to be over a thousand. Zenit beautifully said goodbye to the captain, although they did it too early, ”writes Zimin.
Positive emotions
Correspondent "Soviet Sport" Andrey Vasiliev drew attention to the fact that even the youngest fans joined the ceremony, and he Miguel Danni kept smiling while holding back tears.
“Farewell to Miguel Danny was arranged in a completely non-football place: on Manezhnaya Square. The previous football event there - most likely a gathering of fans on the "Maresh case". Now fans have gathered here again, but on a much more pleasant occasion.
Danny arrived exactly at 17:30 - exactly according to plan. The fans just managed to find out in a quiz what sport the Portuguese was fond of in childhood, except for football, and what profession he would have chosen if he had not become a football player (cycling and a journalist are the correct answers). And they were photographed with cardboard copies of Danny of all the numbers, hairstyles and periods in the Zenith.
And although the most sensitive ones were already crying, the most touching moment was ahead: on Instagram, Zenit fans recorded video messages, each in his own way saying goodbye to the Portuguese.
“It’s a pity that you are leaving us,” the most soulful boy of eight or nine years old appeared on the screen first. - I always looked at how you play football. I was rooting for you. Even hurt when you got injured on your leg. I want to be like you. And play football. I want to be a striker and play under the tenth number. Goodbye, captain.
By the way, Danny himself kept a smile, he drove away her tears and everything negative in general. Including non-renewal of the contract, ”Vasilyev notes.
Native player for Saint Petersburg
Journalist "Championship" Daria Tuboltseva frustrated by the fact that she won't see her again Miguel Danny on the football field in the "Zenith".
“On May 2, 2016, he flew with the team to the Russian Cup final, although he did not have the slightest chance to play with CSKA. When Zenit won in Kazan, Miguel burst into tears on the bench. Half an hour later, Danny jumped on the table in the locker room with happiness and doused everyone with champagne. He never hid his emotions. How sad that Danny is leaving. This phrase was repeated a thousand times by thousands of Petersburgers.
On June 15, hundreds of fans gathered at Manezhnaya Square to say goodbye to their favorite football player. Miguel showed up at exactly 5:30 pm. The crowd greeted the captain with loud applause.
“Zenith” is now actively returning their pupils to the club, thereby hoping to get the approval of the fans. But didn't Danny become closer to Denis Terentyev and Daler Kuzyaev in nine years in St. Petersburg? Not young? Yes, Miguel is 33 years old. But the newcomer blue-white-blue Christian Noboa is 32.
Danny was one of the first to become a member charity event"Come on, come on!" and worked as a master in a barbershop. He was always ready to help, whether it was a teammate or a sick child. Until now, it does not fit in my head that Miguel will no longer enter the field in a Zenit shirt. How sad that Danny is leaving. This phrase was repeated a thousand times by thousands of Petersburgers, ”Tuboltseva emphasizes.
Come back, captain!
Reviewer "Sport-Express" Sergei Zimmerman writes that Miguel Danny left the autograph session under exclamations of "Come back, captain."
“Danny had to put away the phone, on which he filmed literally everything that happened on Manezhnaya. Including a lifetime plaster bust, which was inaugurated right there, next to the Quarenghi and Trezzini monuments. A farewell autograph session began right on the stage.
The touched Portuguese was spinning and trying to sign for everyone, but after about an hour it became clear that there were so many people that the matter could drag on until night. Let already and white St. Petersburg. The apogee of the send-off was the girls' choir, which, with a wave of its conductor-leader (also a girl), sang the immortal hit of the "Queen" group "We are the champions" cleanly.
Danny walked to the waiting car for about ten minutes. And if not for the stewards, the passenger door would hardly have been opened. But everything ends sooner or later. Danny squeezed into the car through a narrow gap, once again waved both hands to the crowd, repeating in Russian "Thank you very much", and nevertheless left. Come back, captain! - still rushed after him for a long time, ”said Zimmerman.
Miguel Danny is one of the best legionnaires ever to play in the Russian Championship.
Daniel Miguel Alves Gomes
- Country - Portugal.
- Position - midfielder.
- Born: August 7, 1983.
- Height: 178 cm.
- Weight: 70 kg.
Biography and career of a football player
Miguel Danni was born in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, to Carlos Danni, a native of Portugal, and Gereta, a native of Venezuela. There he began to study football school, and soon attracted the attention of the agents of the Portuguese Maritimo - football club from the island of Madeira, his father's homeland.
Parents were against Miguel's move, but his grandmother stood up for him - not only did she insist on this move, but she also went with her seven-year-old grandson.
"Maritimu"
2001-2002, 2002-2004
At the age of 17, Danny made his debut for the first team of the club and in the 2001-2002 season he played 22 matches in which he scored 5 goals. Immediately after the end of that season, Danny signed a contract with one of the leading clubs in Portugal, Sporting Lisbon.
Apparently, in this way, the leadership of the Lions wanted to stake out a talented midfielder for themselves, counting on him in the future, since almost immediately after the transfer of Denmark he was sent to Maritima on loan.
There he spent another one and a half seasons, including under the guidance of Russian coach Anatoly Byshovets.
Sporting Lisbon
2002, 2004-2005
In his first arrival at Sporting, Miguel Danny spent only six matches, but he managed to become the owner of the Portuguese Super Cup and make his debut in the Champions League.
At the end of the lease at Maritima, Danny played at Sporting for six months, after which he was noticed by Dynamo Moscow scouts.
Dynamo Moscow
2005-2006
Before the start of the 2005 Russian Championship, Dynamo Moscow, which was financed by businessman Alexei Fedorychev, had a seemingly powerful transfer company. The club was immediately replenished by 12 legionnaires (10 of them were Portuguese football players), among whom were such famous players, like Derley, Costinha, Manishe, European champion in 2004 Yurkas Seitaridis, Brazilian Thiago Silva.
Against this background, Miguel Danny looked dark horse, and who would have thought that he would be the only one in this stellar company who would truly prove himself in Russia.
For three and a half years, Danny played 113 matches for Dynamo, in which he scored 21 goals.
"Zenith"
2008-2017
In August 2008, Miguel Danny transferred to Zenit for a then record 30 million euros for the domestic Russian football market. The debut turned out to be triumphant - in the match for the European Super Cup, Zenit beat Manchester United with a score of 2: 1, and Danny scored the second goal and was recognized as the best player of the match.
Miguel Danny immediately played with the leader of the Zenit attacks, and when he left for Arsenal, the Portuguese received a T-shirt with the iconic ten. He fully justified such trust.
Danny played both in the center of the field and on the flanks (although, according to his confession, given in an interview, he does not like to play on the sideline), he advanced to the forefront of the attack. The main quality of Danny, in my opinion, is non-standard thinking. At any moment, he could throw something that his opponent could not expect from him.
Well, naked. In 257 official matches for the St. Petersburg club of Denmark, he scored 68 goals, i.e. on average, he differed in every fourth match. As a result, the Portuguese entered the top ten scorers of Zenit in history.
Therefore, it is not surprising that he became the leader of the club and the favorite of St. Petersburg fans. And according to the results of 2010, when Zenit scored a double, Miguel Danny, according to the results of a poll of journalists conducted by the Futbol weekly, was recognized as the best football player in Russia. Many generally consider him the best foreign player in the history of the Premier League. Personally, I would leave Danny in second place, the best in history, in my opinion, is the Brazilian.
In June 2017, it was announced that Zenit would not renew the contract with the 33-year-old football player. In many respects, this decision was made due to the fact that Danny never recovered from a serious injury - on April 16, 2016, in a match with Spartak, he received a rupture of the cruciate ligament of his right knee.
"Slavia"
2017 - present
It is quite possible that Miguel Danny will end his playing career in Slavia Prague. Although the option is not ruled out that he has gone somewhere to earn extra money, or he will return to his native Maritima.
Portugal national team
2008-2016
But with the Portuguese national team, Miguel Danny somehow did not work out. For her, he made his debut in August 2008, spent 38 matches and scored 4 goals.
Despite great game demonstrated in the club, he remained outside the application of the Portuguese national team for the 2014 World Cup, and missed Euro 2016, which was victorious for the Portuguese, due to the aforementioned torn ligaments (by the way, he received a similar injury in February 2012, which is also missed the European championship).
Thus, the only major tournament for Danny was the 2010 World Cup, where he played 3 matches, including in the 1/8 finals against Spain, lost by the Portuguese 0:1.
Titles of Miguel of Denmark
Command
- Winner of the Portuguese Super Cup.
- Three-time champion of Russia.
- Two-time winner of the Cup of Russia.
- Two-time winner of the Russian Super Cup.
- European Super Cup Winner.
Individual
- The best football player of the championship of Russia in 2010.
- Listed 33 seven times the best football players championship of Russia, four of them are number 1.
Family and personal life of Miguel Danni
Miguel Danni's wife's name is Petra. They are raising sons - twins Bernanda and Francisco, and daughter Emily.
- Miguel Danny could play for the Venezuelan national team, but refused this offer.
- Danny did not want to move from Maritimo to Sporting because he was a Porto fan.
- However, this did not prevent him from celebrating a goal against Porto by portraying a pissing dog (Champions League match Zenit - Porto, played on September 29, 2011). Fans of the Portuguese club were very unhappy, and it is still not clear what Danny wanted to say.
- In 2005, Danny's goal against Rostov, according to a fan poll, was recognized as the best goal of the Russian championship.
- After moving to St. Petersburg, Zenit fans made claims to Danny about the tattoo in the form of the letter “D” on the right forearm, considering it to be the symbol of Dynamo. However, the football player himself claimed that this means the capital letter of his last name.
- In general, tattoos are a weakness of Denmark. On his body there are images and names of children, as well as a panorama of St. Petersburg.
- Miguel Danny is the author of Zenit's anniversary goals (2500th) in the national championships and the Portuguese national team (800th).
- In 2013, Danny changed his game number to the 35th, explaining this by the fact that it was under him that he started his playing career, but soon returned to the top ten again.
- In 2015, Miguel Danni worked as a hairdresser for one day. This was done as part of a charity event to raise funds for an operation on a child.
Obviously, the best years of Miguel Danny are behind and soon he will complete his glorious football career. Well, fans in our country, where he spent the best years, I think, will long remember his outstanding feints and dribbling, ingenious passes and goals scored.
