2023-10-03 13:13:00
It’s hard to believe it but we’re talking regarding João Klauss, the atypical Brazilian who scored 9 goals in 47 matches, in all competitions, for Standard. The one also who was content with 2 goals and 1 assist in Sint-Truiden. “We simply wanted to be competitive from the start of the competition,” smiles the former Rouche. After one day together, it felt like we had been playing together for years. We felt that something special was happening…”
The expression is slightly hackneyed but the attacker is 1000% living his American dream in Missouri. After a stint which had sometimes aroused more doubts and mockery than admiration in Sclessin but also in Saint-Trond, João Klauss recrossed the Atlantic in July 2022 to try his luck in St. Louis, which had only just started its activities in MLS only six months following his arrival. But Klauss does not give up. He takes his trouble patiently and plays for the club’s second team.
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Either it’s my mother who’s crying, or it’s yours. And I don’t like seeing my mother cry…
Since then, we can say João Klauss has made a new start by conquering the West. He enjoys the comfortable status of designated player (paid above the salary limit), i.e. 1.3 million euros per season for a contract of 3.5 seasons. The Brazilian brings his experience to this young group which is discovering MLS. And the magic happens quickly. The Brazilian finds his marks, scores in spades and leaves an impression. He thus wrote his name on the scoreboard during the first five meetings (sometimes in a superb manner). Klauss is launched on a royal road. The public loves him. “Either it’s my mother who’s crying, or it’s yours,” Klauss explained when a reporter asked him to describe his personality when facing an opponent. “And I don’t like seeing my mother cry…”
With his 10 goals and 2 assists, the Brazilian contributes greatly to the exceptional success of St. Louis, which has already pocketed 17 victories in this regular championship, the highest total acquired by a franchise newly arrived in MLS. Champion of the Western Conference, St. Louis will even participate in the Concacaf Champions League. And to think that João Klauss spent almost four months in the infirmary due to a thigh injury. There is no doubt that with 14 more matches under his belt, he would appear much better in the scorers’ rankings than in 15th place.
However, there is a ranking revealed last week where João Klauss occupies the second step of the podium. Last week, MLS revealed the ranking of players who sold the most jerseys. Unsurprisingly and despite an arrival during the season, Lionel Messi occupies first place. But the Brazilian arrives hot on the heels of the Argentinian, ahead of Thiago Almada, Chicharito Hernandez, Sergio Busquets and even Xherdan Shaqiri. Christian Benteke, Dante Vanzeir, Logan Ndenbe and Brecht Dejaegere are not part of the top 25.
There are only two regular season games left before the playoffs begin. What if Klauss beat Messi? “We are already proud of what we have done so far,” smiles the Brazilian. Being in the playoffs is the first step. Few people believed it at the start of the season. I always believed in it. We have a good group of players who can be competitive in this championship.”
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