Léo has always had a goal in mind: to play with Gremio. Obvious for a boy from Porto Alegre, who grew up with the myth of the tricolor and with Douglas Costa as his idol. The green tick under dreams was placed in 2021, then the time came to leave Brazil and move a little further north: now Chú is the present and future of the Seattle Sounders.
Our interview with Léo Chú
Porto Alegre is a city that lives on football. A bit like all of Brazil. It is played on the street, with what you find to form two goals and a little imagination to imagine yourself at the Maracana. Léo actually has to say thanks to his father and mother, fans of futebol and Gremio: “Gremio is everything for me. It's the team of my heart, it's always been my dream to play with that shirt. I made it and for me it was something unique” he tells the microphones of gianlucadimarzio.com.
Chú was born in 2000. He grew up with the desire to play alongside Douglas Costa, who in 2007 began to enchant with the tricolor shirt: “He was my idol. He is from Porto Alegre like me, he is still a point of reference for me today. The first time I met him I was shaking. He taught me many things and we became very good friends." A relationship that goes beyond the pitch: “He always told me about his years at Juventus. He is a good guy, he always tried to help me”.
Let's say that Costa's influence was also strong on the pitch. Chú's playing style is similar: speed, quickness, lots of imagination. The infinite love for dribbling, for beautiful football. “As a true Brazilian”, Léo used the three best words to describe himself.
Ten years in Gremio, between youth and first team. Then in 2021 the time comes to leave and leave his Porto Alegre: “I had other offers both from Brazil and Europe. But they weren't the best options for me." Between Brazil and Europe the winner... the MLS. “As soon as the offer from the Sounders arrived, I inquired about the team and the city: I accepted immediately. It was the perfect moment to leave Gremio."
The first months in the States were not easy for him: “I was used to living with my family. Once I got to Seattle I was alone: it was tough. Before arriving I didn't have a good feeling about the championship, but now I think the level is high. MLS is becoming a big league." Chú ended the regular season with 36 appearances, 5 goals and 7 assists. A season, however, which ended with the elimination in the western conference semi-finals against LAFC.
Now it's time to rest and prepare for next year, with an eye towards Europe... "After this season it would be important to take another step, but I don't want to think about it. Proposals from Italy? Not yet…". His guitar, some churrasco and the beaches of Porto Alegre. Meanwhile, Chú is enjoying the off-season where it all began.
