“Without futsal, I wouldn’t have developed the technique that allowed me to shine later in 11-a-side football. I learned to control the ball thanks to futsal.”
He is, in fact, the only player in the world to have added the Copa América and the Copa Libertadores to his list of achievements (with Atlético Mineiro in 2013). “I consider this a privilege. It’s incredible, a dream I could never have imagined as a child. But you know, from my days playing futsal to my last title as a professional, I remember every trophy I’ve won, and they all hold the same importance to me.”
He has always remained true to what has guided him since his earliest days: a love of the game and the joy of playing. “It’s a joy to know that people enjoyed watching me play, that they still go on YouTube today to rewatch my matches and some of my moves. I’ve always had fun on the field, and I’m very honored and grateful for all the love I received when I was a player and still receive today. ”
While he continues to cause a frenzy wherever he goes, he nevertheless rejects the idea of being anything more than a former football player. “Me, a rock star? No, I’m simply a happy and fulfilled man who had a fabulous career in football. Music? That’s another passion. It’s always been part of my life, and it’s still with me today, just like football.”
He’s asked to pick his favorite goal. “Oh, that’s really hard! (He laughs.) I’m thinking of one of my first goals with Grêmio in the Campeonato Gaúcho (regional league) that opened the door to the national team, the one against Venezuela in the 1999 Copa América, my goal with Paris against Guingamp (February 22, 2003, after a series of dribbles), my very first one with Barça, my goal (the first) at the Bernabéu in El Clásico (November 19, 2005), the chip against Chelsea (2-4, in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg, March 8, 2005), the one against England at the 2002 World Cup (a free kick from the wing in the quarterfinals), my run against Olympique de Marseille (in 2003), one I scored against Inter Milan in a derby, my goal in the final of the Carioca Championship with Flamengo, another in the Copa Libertadores… ” The list of his achievements is long.