Leandro Castan declares he won’t leave Roma unless he’s told to – “my dream is to win a trophy”.
The centre-back had brain surgery last season, and has struggled to get back to his best so far this term, making just four Serie A starts.
That has led to speculation that he could move back to his native Brazil, but the 29-year-old is determined to win back his place in the Giallorossi defence.
“There have been a lot of rumours, but no concrete offer,” Castan explained to Goal.
Leandro Castan declares he won’t leave Roma unless he’s told to – “my dream is to win a trophy”.
The centre-back had brain surgery last season, and has struggled to get back to his best so far this term, making just four Serie A starts.
That has led to speculation that he could move back to his native Brazil, but the 29-year-old is determined to win back his place in the Giallorossi defence.
“There have been a lot of rumours, but no concrete offer,” Castan explained to Goal.
“It’s not time to return to Brazilian football yet. In Brazil everyone wants the Leandro Castan of two years ago.
“I won’t leave here because I want to keep playing for Roma, and also because I won’t accept playing at a lower level than the one I perceive mine to be.
“I won’t accept it, and I’ll go further: I’ll only leave Roma when they tell me that they no longer want me.
“My dream is to win a trophy with Roma, to pay the fans back for the affection they’ve given me.
“If one day I go back [to Brazil] it would be to make a difference, I don’t want to go back just to end my career. And if I return then Corinthians have priority.”
Castan then opened up about his ordeal last season, having undergone surgery to remove a brain malformation.
“My life changed overnight. My first reaction was to consider leaving football. I thought about retiring, rather than having such a delicate operation just to continue playing football.
“After a few days, and having talked with my family, the doctor convinced me that everything would be fine. It was a hard time, but I relied on God and my family.
“Of course I was scared, I had brain surgery! The risk of death was low, but I couldn’t ignore that possibility. Thank God, everything went well.
“Do I still feel the effects? No, I train normally every day and do everything my teammates do. I was out for a year, but little-by-little I’m regaining my speed and sharpness.
“I’m a bit off the pace, that’s true, but I’ve fully recovered from the operation.
“I’ll only be satisfied when I get back to playing as a starter. I didn’t lose my place because I was playing badly, it was purely down to the condition.
“I want to recover everything I’ve lost, and I’ll fight to the end.”