One of the most respected figures in the Bravense soccer scene, Alberto Gomes, warns of the decline of the sport on the island
Nova Sintra City, June 9, 2025 (Bravanews) - Alberto Gomes, a respected figure and former footballer, has expressed deep concern about the current state of soccer on his home island. Gomes expressed his perplexity and sadness at a reality he considers alarming, especially the fact that young people are giving up participation in important tournaments such as inter-island, to the detriment of vices such as drugs and alcohol.
"This is really worrying for an island as peaceful and welcoming as our beloved Brava. I'm really perplexed by what's happening," said Alberto Gomes. His concern lies in the apparent lack of interest in organized sports and the adherence to behaviour that he considers harmful to young people and the island's image.
The former player drew nostalgic parallels with his days as an athlete, when soccer was driven by passion and love for the shirt. "I never tire of thinking back to when I played. We played out of addiction and love for the shirt, in training we played for places as if they were competitions. We didn't drink and we weren't exposed to the frost," Gomes recalled. His words paint a picture of an era when dedication, discipline and a competitive spirit were the pillars of sport, values that, according to him, seem to have been lost in the current generation.
Despite his dismay, Alberto Gomes is not losing hope and is sending a message of encouragement to the young talents of the island of Brava. "But I suggest to those young people with talents that they take the plunge and enjoy the good that the age of youth offers us for your own good and for the enhancement of Brava," he advised. His appeal is for young people to recognize the value of sport as a route to a healthy lifestyle, away from vices, and as a way of contributing positively to the name and reputation of the island of Brava.
Gomes stressed that "it's never too late" for a change of attitude, expressing the wish that his "humble advice" be heeded. To reinforce his message of hope and resilience, he quoted a famous Brazilian phrase: "Whoever has faith flies". This maxim serves as a reminder that, with determination and belief in one's own abilities, it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve great things.
Alberto Gomes' concern echoes a sentiment shared by many who see sport as a fundamental tool for the social and personal development of young people. His warning serves as an invitation to reflection and action on the part of the entire Brava community, to invest in the recovery and strengthening of soccer and other sporting practices on the island.
