Gustavo Scarpa, a former Nottingham Forest playmaker, claims he does not regret joining the club despite losing confidence in his skills and experiencing ‘poor’ times.
The 30-year-old, who left Forest three months ago, helped Atletico Mineiro win the Campeonato Mineiro state title on Sunday by scoring the decisive goal in the club’s 5-2 aggregate victory over Cruzeiro.
Scarpa was signed on a free transfer in January 2023 and played just ten games, failing to assist, score, or complete a full 90 minutes despite starting five. After hurting his knee in April, he did not play for the club again and was loaned out to Greek giants Olympiakos in August.
Scarpa failed to score in any of his 11 appearances, and was recalled by Forest before being sold to Atletico for about £4 million in January. Despite his disappointing time at City Ground, the Brazilian insists he has no ill will towards Forest.
He told TNT Sports Brasil: “First of all, I don’t regret going there at all. I would do it all over again, it was my dream to play in the Premier League.
“But I think life has dreams, and you have to make them come true in a way you didn’t dream of. So I fulfilled my dream of playing in the Premier League, but it wasn’t as I imagined.
He told TNT Sports Brasil: “First and foremost, I have no regrets about going there. I would do it all over again; it was my ambition to play in the Premier League.
“But I believe that life has dreams, and you must realise them in unexpected ways. So I realised my ambition of playing in the Premier League, but it wasn’t what I expected.
“I think I started out well and then the coach decided to take me out. And then came a series of injuries that I’d never had before. I think the mental part ends up influencing it too.”
Scarpa added: “My off-field experience was heavy in the months before I arrived in Europe. But I think that’s it. I had a very good experience. Professionally, it was bad in parts.
“I lost some of my confidence, which I took a long time to win back. I had left as the champion, the best player, and everything. It was a great experience, and, as I said, I would do it all over again. I don’t regret it. Now I’m happy with the first title.”
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