The Brazilian player for Barça attends As prior to their playoff match against ElPozo Murcia, where he spoke about the club, his form and his long-term goals with the club. At 30 years old, the pivot has entered the Barça institution with the right foot.
First season at Barca and first titles with the Barça shirt, how do you rate this first year?
It has been a very positive year, because coming to a club like Barcelona and winning important titles, like the Champions League, in the first season is incredible. We had a new coach and he has proven to be very good. We knew the quality of the team and that it was a matter of time to find ourselves on the track.
We are already in the last phase of the season, with the playoffs about to start, you will face your former team (ElPozo) in the round of 16. What are your feelings for the match and for the final phase?
We are missing the National League. We are going to play against ElPozo, my first team in Spain and with whom I spent three seasons. It is always special to return to the Palacio de los Deportes de Murcia. I want to play a great game defending the Barcelona shirt.
You have been through great and historic teams in Spain such as El Pozo Murcia or InterMovistar. You just won the Futsal Champions in your first season with Barca, what are your goals for the following season?
My goals will always be the same. Keep winning with the Barca shirt. The main goal every year is the Champions League. We won it this season and we have already sealed our participation in the next edition. I’m going to take the opportunity and win as many titles as possible. I want to make history with this shirt.
You have been a decisive player this season with 21 games played in the League. You have hardly needed an adaptation to the team’s game, do you feel that way?
The squad had very good players so adaptation was very easy. The results came flowing and he didn’t have as much pressure as a new Barcelona player. The fact that there were several Brazilians in the team helped me. In addition, the whole team opened doors for me and that made adaptation much easier.
You share a locker room with some compatriots. How has your association been with Ferrao, Dyego…?
Yes, I knew everyone who played for Barcelona before. Ferrao, moreover, is a countryman of mine. He is from Chapecó, in Santa Catarina. With Dyego he had played in the Brazilian National Team. Everything went very well, with them he was already adapted to his style of play.
Right now you are a 30-year-old player, and at that age most players are at their peak of form, do you feel that way?
A player with 30 years has a lot of experience. I went through great clubs and I was able to learn a lot in each one of them. I think I have arrived at Barcelona at my best moment. I am in the best futsal club in the world, surrounded by the best professionals. I have to take advantage of this moment and do my best to get to my best form.
Do you see a lot of difference between Inter and Barça in terms of infrastructure, work, conditions…etc?
Barcelona exceeded all my expectations. It is a club without parallel in structural terms. Compared to other clubs, the work itself does not change much. However, the infrastructure and conditions provided by the club are superior to any team.
Futsal is a sport of great dynamics, and with a very high rhythm when you are on the pitch. Do you professionals usually dose yourselves in some way, or since there are unlimited changes once you enter you spend all the time at 100%
Everyone tries to be 100% every time they enter the floor because they can come and go as many times as necessary. Individually, we work to be in an optimal state physically so that we can be at 100% for as long as possible. Many times you are not in your best shape on the track, but we always have to do our best to help the team.
Futsal is a very harmful sport due to the set of conditions that make it up. What work and nutrition do you apply to reduce those chances of injury?
I not only work the nutritional part, but also the physical one. I have a nutritionist in Brazil and a physical trainer here in Barcelona. These precautions help a lot. Of course, from the club they also help you with specific jobs. There are several factors and I think they are all essential to avoid injuries. They can happen, but working specifically always tends to reduce that risk.
We are used to the luxurious life of 11-a-side football players, but… Does this look like the life of a top-level futsal player?
It is very different, there is not much similarity between field and futsal athletes. But I can’t complain either. I live very well, I chose to live from this sport and I try to make the most of it.
