Remember the Name - Sylvinho

"Men May come and Men may Go,

But i go on forever."

- Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Seldom do things make me cry. Today is one of those days. The espnstar website reads, "Barcelona cut ties with Sylvinho." Do not know if it was the harshness of the heading or Sylvio's departure that made me cry.

For a defender who played 128 games in Blue and Scarlet and scored 3 goals, Sylvinho 

is among the most down to earth players i have seen. 'Experience comes at the price of cockiness." they say. But Sylvio is the living proof that, that statement is absurd.

He stood with the side for the last half a decade and leaves the entire cule cauldron, weeping. One may well debate that he never got that eternally fixed place in the playing eleven. But Sylvio still remains eternally fixed in our hearts. Something that not everyone have achieved.

Sylvio Mendes Campos Jr, born April 14, 1974, an overlapping attacking left back, made his way to F.C Barcelona, joined in the ranks by Thierry Henry and Marc Overmars, switching from Arsenal.

A caring man by nature and a fatherly figure for all, Sylvinho is amog the most respected figures at Nou Camp. 

The perfect ambassador of the game, and the impeccable family man.

You will not have spotted one rash tackle or a foul commited by him. That is because of the gentleman inside him that respects other players and demands respect from them, which he duely gets. Syulvinho is also reported to be a deeply religious man, who lives by his principles and adheres them strictly.

The Brazillian has 6 international caps, and he started playing for his local club, Corinthians and then slowly worked his way up the rankings, demanding attention with his effective lightweighted approach, aggressive football and overlapping. He was soon signed by Arsenal F.C who latched on to his talent in 1999. Later in his career, Sylvinho was signed in to Celta Vigo where he enjoyed 3 outstanding seasons, from 2001.

In 2004, Barca wanted the man and got him for 2 Million euros. He enjoyed a few scintillating seasons, and is idolized today at Nou Camp.

The most impressive thing about this player, is his humility. He did not get enough playing minutes the last season, which a player of his stature deserved, that is a sooth. Yet he did not waste time complaining and showed the world what he is made of, each oppurtunity he got.

He had the best season of his career, which also turned out to be his last, unfortunately. He was a decisive member for the treble, plaing his heart out in the Champions League final against Manchester United, at Rome, where he humbled the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo with unprecedented ease.

This event is an extremely sad and unexplicable burden in the hearts of each of us. Let us just tell each us that nothing is permanent. No sun stays shining past the dusk.

Sylvinho, we love you. Though you are leaving us this instance. I cannot but hope, you shall remain what you are, elsewhere. 

Though one never thanks his family,

Thank You, Sylvinho.

Recuere El Nombre - SYLVINHO.

"The daddy of the team. A real good guy. He is always concerned for the welfare of the side and asks questions all the time when we are travelling, making sure we are OK. " - Gerard Pique.