Sao Paulo, Brazil
“The pain was so great that I lost my sense of reality.
“Both my children died.
“I lost one to drugs and another who chose suicide.”
Francisco José Lang Fernandes de Oliveira’s courage is worrying.
Behind the character Chico Lang, defending Corinthians with all his might, at TV Gazeta since 1990.
That’s 33 years of television. 47 of journalism.
His long career began at Folha da Tarde and went through Notícias Populares and Gazeta Esportiva.
But it was only in Mesa Redonda that he became famous.
The debate program became popular.
And he made Chico Lang his main character.
Chico Lang reveals details of the psychotic breakdown he suffered after the death of his children. Reproduction/Twitter
“He’s the soul of Mesa Redonda. Chico represents the spontaneity of the authentic fan. He is the representative of grassroots football. This is analyzed with intelligence, but also with emotion and passion. That’s why he’s so successful. Not just for Corinthians.” Fans, Palmeirenses, São Paulo, Santos. It represents passion for football, not hate,” analyzes Mesa Redonda presenter Osmar Garraffa.
“I am a journalist. I support Corinthians, yes, there’s no denying that. But I challenge, show ways, exhaust. I have my sources, I research, I check. And above all, I represent my opinion. I am sincere. Maybe that’s the secret of this whole time in the air.
In an eerily candid interview, Chico reveals how he struggled to overcome the immense tragedy of losing two children. 23yearold Pedro committed suicide. And Paulo had tongue cancer, most likely due to the crack he was addicted to.
“I was down. I started not thinking straight anymore. I was going insane from so much pain. I had to spend a while in the hospital. It was too hard. Only little by little, with the help of my family, my friends, the love for my job I regained,” Chico confirms the psychotic breakdown he suffered.
“I make it a point to tell it because it serves as a warning to parents so they can keep a close eye on what’s happening to their children.”
“Society needs to fight drugs and pay much more attention than suicide.”
Peter was 23 years old. Paulo, 40. Chico made it a point to speak openly about his children’s deaths Reproduction/Twitter
The interview with Chico Lang can be found on Cosme Rímoli’s YouTube channel, where there are exclusive conversations with Denilson, Milton Neves, Silvio Luiz, Hortência, Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, Casagrande, PVC, André Henning, Edu Dracena, Salvio Spínola, Benjamin Back, Marcio Zanardi and others are Ney Franco.