Natalia Zilio is a superstar, and her paycheck says it so. Only weeks after the Brazilian national teamer signed Superliga’s highest ever contract ever with Minas at about $550k USD, China’s Shanghai offered her a nice even $1 Million USD sum + whatever contract buyout Minas stipulated for six months work. The plan was for her to replace Kim Yeon-Koung, who recently left China for Turkey. Unexpectedly, Natalia refused.
Brazilian blogger Bruno Voloch spoke to Natalia on the matter:
“Shanghai did make me a very nice offer financially. However, when I opted for coming back to Brazil, I did so thinking about my health. I need to fully recover my knee. Minas offered me an excellent contract as well, and amazing club infrastructure. That is my priority, so I will honor my contract. To tell you the truth, if not for my injury, I would’ve stayed in Europe, probably still at Fenerbahce. I had also other very good offers, but I did what I thought was best for my career at the moment. Next season will be different, and I think it will be very unlikely that I’ll stay in Brazil.”
Does the price-tag match the player’s production? Natalia is still only 29 years old, but is already an Olympic gold medalist (2012), and also holds 3 Grand Prix (with 2 MVPs) and 2 Grand Champions Cup gold medals. Domestically, she is a 4 times Brazilian and 1 time Turkish champion. As of right now, she is Brazil’s only chance of contending internationally.
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