'I was scared and sad' - Ronaldo Vieira's candid admission over Leeds United departure
Ronaldo Vieira has made an admission regarding his Leeds United departure
Ronaldo Vieira has conceded he was “scared and sad” when he was informed of Leeds United’s desire to sell him.
The midfielder showed plenty of promise as a young prospect at Elland Road, spending back-to-back seasons as a first-team regular.
Marcelo Bielsa took the reins in the summer of 2018 and was an admirer of Vieira’s talents, but saw the now 28-year-old sold to Sampdoria to give the club financial wriggle room.
Ronaldo Vieira on Leeds United exit
Vieira, who now plies his trade in the USA with San Jose Earthquakes, told GianlucaDiMarzio.com: “I was scared and sad , because I felt part of the project. I left the stadium with my family, got in the car, and went for a drive alone to think.
“My agent explained to me that I wasn't obligated to accept [Sampdoria’s offer]. I thought about it and said, 'If it helps Leeds, I'll do it.' I was going to Serie A, to a big team. Two days later, I was in Genoa.”
Vieira spent seven years in Italy, eventually departing for Major League Soccer last year. His time with Leeds may have been cut short, but the Guinea-Bissau international still reflects on his West Yorkshire spell with fondness.
He said: “I was a normal boy who wanted to play football and was waiting for his opportunity . When I joined the academy, I knew I had to work twice as hard as everyone else.
“After a year, I managed to make my debut with the first team: I only played seven minutes, but playing in front of that packed stadium was incredible.”
Possibility of England return
Vieira spoke to The Yorkshire Post earlier this year and while he was effusive in his praise for life in California, he did not close the door on the possibility of a return to British shores.
He said: “At the moment, I'm happy here. I have a contract here, so as long as they want me, I will be here, and then you never know what can happen in the future.
“I have a house in England and my family's in England, my brother's in England, my mum, my whole family's in England.
“If there was a chance to come back to England, of course I would think about it and I would make a decision with everything else. I would just be aware of different things, but I'd be very open to it.”