1 of 3 Faustão thanks Fábio’s family for the chance to live Photo: Reproduction Faustão thanks Fábio’s family for the chance to live Photo: Reproduction
André Batista da Silva, 41, said his cousin is an organ donor and has helped at least 20 other people alongside Faustão. However, he pointed out that the fact that Fábio’s heart ended up in the presenter’s chest only reinforces the message about the importance of donation.
Faustão said he was forever grateful to Fábio’s family. “Special thanks to José Pereira da Silva, Fabio’s father, who was incredibly grandiose and absurdly generous in allowing me to stay alive.”
And he added: “I’m thrilled because he [Fábio] gave me the chance to live again. We thank Welisson, Fábio’s brother, and Jaqueline, the widow. These humblest of people gave me a new heart when I needed it.
André stressed that the family was satisfied with their relative’s inheritance. “Whereas Fábio came to help, I think he’s happy with the gesture. Faustão got a strong heart from a boy, from an athlete, and we’re very happy and content,” he said.
Faustão records a video for the first time since the transplant to thank fans
According to the family, one of the organs Fábio donated was his heart. Between August 19 and 26, 13 heart transplants were carried out in the country, seven of them in the state of São Paulo, including that of presenter Fausto Silva, but the state government did not say who Faustão’s donor was.
According to his brother Flavio Cordeiro da Silva, Fábio lacked opportunities to make football his career. “He dreamed [em ser profissional]. He had talent, but back then he had to be very lucky to continue. “It was more difficult, you needed money, a businessman,” he explained.
2 of 3 Fábio Cordeiro da Silva played for several lowland football teams on the São Paulo coast Photo: Reproduction Fábio Cordeiro da Silva played for several lowland football teams on the São Paulo coast Photo: Reproduction
“He was an incredible player, he played for several clubs in the region. Even his opponents respected him,” his brother said.
Flavio said his brother went into amateur football after failing trials in the professional team because he would never give up the sport, which was his greatest “passion”. However, the sport was not the only one practiced by Fábio, who also surfed, did capoeira and was a model athlete.
“I didn’t put sugar in my mouth, the food was very correct, I went to the gym. It was pure muscle […]. He was a leader both on and off the field,” he recalled.
3 of 3 Fábio’s brother (left) and his cousin (right) (middle) talk about the legacy they left behind. — Photo: Personal archive Fábio’s brother (left) and cousin (right) (centre) talk about the legacy he left. — Photo: Personal archive
As the athlete’s only brother, Flavio said he would do everything he could to keep Fábio’s story alive. “He was the youngest, so there was a bit of me in him too.” He said he was very proud of his brother, who was also his partner in music. The two had a Forró band.
The sports teacher André Batista da Silva, 41, is a cousin and grew up with Fábio. “For me he is ‘Fabinho’ […]. I learned how to kick the ball, take free kicks and stuff like that. It was a cousin’s relationship, but practically a brother’s,” he said.
He said the two learned to surf together and the fond memories and legacy of Fábio will never be forgotten. “A pure, hardworking, easygoing boy,” described his cousin.
“He left us, but he helps other people, like he always did,” André said about organ donation.
Fábio suffered a stroke last Wednesday (23) while working as a tiler in an apartment in Santos. The player was found the next day when the team working on site arrived and found him conscious but with the right side of his body paralyzed.
He was taken to the Casa de Saúde de Santos, where he was placed in intensive care and underwent brain surgery. Brain death was confirmed on Saturday morning (26) and the family decided to donate organs.