The Brazilian midfielder, Carlos Eduardo, entered the legend of OGC Nice and French football after scoring five goals this Sunday at Guingamp. The summer signing confirms the potential glimpsed since his debut and expresses his happiness playing in Nice.
The best deal of the last hours of the summer transfer window is indeed on the French Riviera. On the radar of OGC Nice for several months, President Jean-Pierre Rivère managed to convince FC Porto’s management, no small feat, to loan Carlos Eduardo for a season. Given his journey: Brazilian clubs, then to Portugal with Estoril and FC Porto, the 25-year-old midfielder can boast several matches in the Europa League, a bonus for a Nice squad lacking experience.
“He is an appreciated player in Portugal. Last season, he played some very good matches especially in the Europa League. Here, he has the opportunity to get playing time. We can feel it, he is happy to play in this team, he is eager to show his potential.” admits Claude Puel, the coach of OGC Nice.
From his first minutes in red and black (on September 13 against Metz), experts saw in him a player with talent, quite logical for a Brazilian. The number 3 of the Aiglons is a lanky player, 1.84m for 76kg, capable of playing in several midfield positions even if his preferred position is as a playmaker behind the striker. And the Brazilian decided to make a big impact for his first goal in his new colors. On September 27, he gave victory in the derby in Monaco (0-1) thanks to a direct free kick into Subasic’s bottom corner. What better way to win over the hearts of Nice supporters…
“I am happy to make history with OGC Nice”
This October 26 is and will remain a mythical date for him, the club, and French football. On the field at Guingamp, one, then two, three, four, and a fifth goal to enter the club’s history and secure a wide victory for OGC Nice and a nice rise in the standings (7th). A free kick into the top corner to equalize in the 10th minute, a side-footed shot to take the lead, a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper to widen the gap, a left-footed strike for an already fantastic quadruple, and a volley that finished in the bottom corner to cap it beautifully. The Brazilian from OGC Nice did it all against a bewildered Breton side.
“I knew when I got on the bus that I had accomplished something great. It’s very important to make history with OGC Nice, I am very happy about it,” smiled Carlos Eduardo during the press briefing this Monday.
And to conclude, his first words in French: “I am happy to play in Nice.” Enough to secure an important place in the minds of Nice supporters.
