Born in Corinthians’ youth categories, Pedrinho arrived at Benfica in 2020 for 18 million euros (R$ 112.1 million at the price at the time). Despite the high expectations, the Brazilian received few opportunities in the Lisbon team and did not fall in the favor of coach Jorge Jesus. Currently at Shakhtar Donetsk, in Ukraine, the 23-year-old recalled his short time at the Portuguese club in an exclusive interview with Sports Gazette, to TV Gazeta.
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“I spent a short period at Benfica. The player needs confidence, it could be easier because of the language. Adaptation was quick, but because I didn’t have the opportunities, I preferred to look for another opportunity. Here (at Shakhtar Donetsk) there are many Brazilians helping me. Of course there’s the cold, but the adaptation ended up being quick, I had a sequence of games, confidence. When it’s well on the field, it’s a consequence,” said the attacking midfielder.
Pedrinho also spoke of the relationship he had with Jorge Jesus, former coach of Flamengo. According to the ex-Corinthians, the coach ended up putting pressure on some athletes with offenses and not giving full freedom to conversations.
“Since I arrived at Benfica, I have never doubted the technical form of Jorge Jesus, he is very good. But the way he treats people is crucial for his performance. Some people deal easier. Some players, with him, end up playing under pressure. Shakhtar’s coach here says he needs to enjoy playing, there you had pressure not to make mistakes. He (Jorge Jesus) doesn’t give him total freedom to talk,” he said.
“Sometimes you play a game in practice and he offends you, as if he were judging you, and you just want to help. The player is afraid to do it. You think: ‘if you do that, he’ll complain.’ that you don’t feel comfortable on the field. There are players who do and can’t deliver,” he added.
Recently, the manager of the also Brazilian Everton Cebolinha complained about Jesus in an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Record, stating that the technician does not know how to use the customer. Pedrinho revealed that he talks daily with the former Grêmio striker, but that he doesn’t want to influence his decision on whether to stay or leave Benfica.
“I talk to Everton every day, and I say that coming to Shakhtar helped a lot. That he thinks straight, I don’t want to influence the decision. I want to see him playing, happy. That he can sit down with his family and decide,” he concluded.
For Benfica, Pedrinho played 31 matches and scored a goal. In June 2021, he was sold for the same 18 million euros to Shakhtar Donetsk, where he has already scored four goals in 19 games.
Everton, in turn, is in his second season with the Portuguese club. So far, 73 matches have been played and 12 goals have been scored.
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