Brazil ace Danilo has reflected on his move from Nottingham Forest to Botafogo after recovering from a serious ankle injury
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo in action for Brazil(Image: Getty)
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo has admitted he didn’t want to leave the City Ground 12 months ago.
The Brazilian returned to his homeland last summer when he joined Botafogo after two-and-a-half years with the Reds. The move came after he had missed a significant chunk of the 2024/25 season with the serious ankle injury he sustained on the opening day of the campaign.
Danilo found it tough to regain his place as a regular starter for Forest when he returned, with Elliot Anderson having pinned down a spot by then. The 25-year-old was initially keen to stay and fight for his place but ended up moving on in the hope of pressing his case to make the cut for Brazil’s World Cup squad.
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“It was very difficult. I have the age to be in Europe, but my serious injury made me lose my place at Nottingham,” he told Sport Witness.
“At first, I didn’t want to return to Brazil. I wanted to turn things around and shine, but this is football and there are things you can’t control.
“I came back (to Brazil) worried that I hadn’t made the right decision. It was a project built around the World Cup and then I suffered more injuries that got in the way.
“The fear I had beforehand became reality because I wasn’t being called up and I couldn’t get a run of games. But from January onwards I managed to get back to my best physically and mentally and show my football. That step backwards ended up becoming two or more steps forwards.”
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A fans’ favourite Trentside, being sidelined for a lengthy spell was difficult for Danilo. However, he emerged from that period stronger.
“It was a difficult period,” the midfielder reflected. “Breaking my ankle and watching an entire season pass because of injury, then coming back and not getting a run of games… Those were things that helped me a lot mentally and made me stronger.
“I knew I had a World Cup to play for and that I needed minutes and preparation. That helped me produce the performances I’ve shown at Botafogo and with the national team. The culture in England helped strengthen me as well.”
Danilo’s fine form for Botafogo saw him get the nod for the upcoming World Cup. He could be in line for a return to the Premier League after the tournament as Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United are among the clubs reportedly keeping tabs on him.
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