“The warmth I found in Sunderland, the politeness of the people, and the welcoming atmosphere I found everywhere I went are incomparable”
Marcelo Balsemo and his sons Luiz Felipe and Henrique have returned to São Paulo with an array of SAFC merchandise.placeholder image
Marcelo Balsemo and his sons Luiz Felipe and Henrique have returned to São Paulo with an array of SAFC merchandise. | Marcelo Balsemo
Marcelo and his sons Luiz Felipe and Henrique “fell in love” with the club after following the trials and tribulations of Black Cats fans as they slumped into League One in the Netflix series Sunderland Til I Die.
Read More
The family made the pledge that if Sunderland returned to the Premier League they would fly from Brazil to watch a game in the city.
Read More
On February 11, the trio completed their promise to each other when they joined other fans at the Stadium of Light for the fixture against current Premier League Champions Liverpool.
Sadly, the Black Cats succumbed to a 0-1 defeat, but the experience and city left an indelible impression on Marcelo and his sons.
Marcelo and his sons Henrique and Luiz Felipe at game with their local team, Palmeiras.placeholder image
Marcelo and his sons Henrique and Luiz Felipe at game with their local team, Palmeiras. | Marcelo
Speaking to the Echo after returning home Marcelo said: “One thing I would like to mention here is that after leaving Sunderland, I spent a few days in London visiting some friends who live there. However, the warmth I found in Sunderland, the politeness of the people, and the welcoming atmosphere I found everywhere I went are incomparable.
“I was very happy to have visited the city and it would certainly be a place where I would live comfortably, as I know I would be well treated everywhere and there is a lot of warmth around, wherever you go in the city of Sunderland.
“Many thanks to the Sunderland AFC team, many thanks to the fans who welcomed me everywhere I went, in the pubs, on the streets and in the stadium, and especially, a big hug to all the people of Sunderland for the wonderful reception we received.
“This will stay in my memory and that of my sons Henrique and Luiz Felipe forever, and I'm sure that in the future we will return to see more Black Cats games.”
Marcelo returned home with an array of SAFC merchandise which he now displays in his São Paulo apartment.
Items include a Sunderland Til I Die scarf and and an SAFC Keep the Faith mug.
Marcelo added: “Returning to Brazil and my home in São Paulo, I was able to decorate my apartment balcony with some souvenirs I brought from Sunderland.
“I really wanted to thank my friends in the city for the wonderful welcome I received.”
Continue Reading