After two surgeries and nine months of recovery to correct a herniated hip problem, midfielder Artur returned to the pitch. In front of the crowd that filled the Lower.com Field stadium, the midfielder had a fine presentation and was instrumental in the Columbus Crew’s 4–0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“I am so happy. My injury was complicated, I was in unbearable pain last year. I didn’t know when I would play again, but I never stopped believing and working. I devoted myself a lot and Only those close to me know what I did and I got over it. Because of it all, being able to hit the ground again and on top of that, help the team start off with a win ‘Something very special’,” said the player, choosing the best on the field in the match.
“In those days, I was thinking about everything that happened and, indeed, all the effort was worth it. In difficult moments, I got all the support and I thank everyone who was by my side. Now, I Stay focused and motivated to have another good season,” he added.
“Last year, unfortunately, I couldn’t help but be as I wanted it to be. Our group is great, we were champions a while back and I believe we have another title. There are conditions to fight for. We had a great pre-season and we are ready to chase our goals”, he concluded.
Formed in the basic categories of So Paulo, Artur moved to the professional team in 2016, when he played four matches. The following year, he was loaned to the Columbus Crew to gain experience. His good performance in the campaign that ended as runner-up in the Eastern Conference of MLS, however, led to him being permanently acquired by the American team.
In the following season, the midfielder remained an essential for the Ohio State team. The proof of this is that he always acted even when he was available. Even more, he was the starter in practically all the matches.
Of the 142 matches in which he was listed, he played 133, up from 122 from the start. He scored four goals, provided four assists and, in addition to MLS, also celebrated the 2021 Campeones Cup title, an annual competition played in singles games between the United States and the previous year’s national champions in Mexico.
