Did you realize in his first trainings that Messi was different? In the first training session, he proved that he was not one of the crowd. Though he was rather small, he did certain things I had never seen any other player do in a roster that was full of excellent footballers. As months passed and once that Rijkaard confirmed him in the first team, Leo always contributed with positive ideas, absorbing everything you explained to him due to his experience. In addition to being a great player, he is also a fabulous boy and that has great
influence upon his present. Do you feel part of this incredible present of Barcelona, since together with Ronaldinho they started this marvelous era? In football everything comes to an end and I think that players are not eternal. Already at that moment I thought that I had finished my work in Barcelona and should change my surroundings despite my success there. What was important for me was to have lived that glorious moment, for me as well as for my club, and then I had to leave in the best possible way. What do Messi and
EFE
him to never give up and that is what finally makes the show much more entertaining.” Are you surprised of Messi’s breaking one record after another? Nothing of what Leo does surprises me now. What really calls my attention is the ease with which he keeps that unreachable level in every match he plays. He has a fabulous rhythm and always decides in favour of his team in every match he plays, especially when they need him most. He is unsurpassable in whatever he does and is already the best of all those I’ve seen inside a pitch.
Dos grandes camisetas para una trayectoria excepcional. Con el FC Barcelona (arriba) llegó a la cumbre de Europa, con la Selección de Portugal (izquierda) jugó dos Mundiales y se prepara para la próxima Eurocopa. Two great shirts for an exceptional career. With FC Barcelona (on top) he reached the top of Europe with Portugal’s National team (left), played two World Cups and is getting ready for the next Eurocup.
ANDERSON LUIS DE SOUZA “DECO” Nacimento / Date of birth: 27 de agosto de 1977, en São Bernardo do Campo (Brasil), naturalizado portugués en 2002 Puesto / position: Centrodelantero / Centreforward Trayectoria como jugador / Career as player: Nacional AC de São Paulo (1994-95), Corinthians (1995-96), Corinthians Alagoano (1996), Alverca (Portugal, 1996-97), Salgueiros (Portugal 1997-98), FC Porto (1997, 1999-04), FC Barcelona (200508), Chelsea (2009-10), Fluminense (2010-12). Jugó con la Selección de Portugal (2003-2010) 74 partidos con 5 goles. Disputó 2 Mundiales (Alemania 2006, Sudáfrica 2010). Títulos / Titles: campeón con FC Porto (Liga de Portugal 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, Copa de Portugal 2000, 2001, 2003, Supercopa de Portugal 1999, 2001, 2003, Copa de la UEFA 2003, Champions League 2004); con FC Barcelona (Liga de España 2005, 2006, Supercopa de España 2005, 2006, Champions League 2006); con Chelsea (FC Cup 2009, 2010, Community Shield 2009, Premier League 2010); con Fluminense (Campeonato Brasileño 2010).
Cristiano Ronaldo have in common? They are two different players and the only thing they have in common is that they always want to play and they show up at the most difficult moments to solve their teams’ problems. Cristiano is very strong; I think he is the strongest in the world, in his finishing shot at goal, his header, whereas Leo is quality. He is never mistaken and that is what most impressive of him. Did you go back to Brazil to put an end to your career? Not that much. It has to do with something personal. I had problems with my family and I had to solve them in person. I still had one more year in my contract with Chelsea, but I was not working well because my head was in Brazil. Then I decided that the best thing was to stay here and luckily everything has gone well with Fluminense. Would that be the perfect closing to win the Libertadores? It would the best thing that could happen in my career and I do not have any doubt that it would be an excellent closing. I had the good luck of winning many important matches in all the teams I played and the Libertadores is a great title for Fluminense, because it would be the first they win. To enter into the club’s history would be the best thing that ever happened to me. I grew up seeing the Libertadores and the rivalry existing among the Brazilian, Argentinian and Uruguayan teams. Nowadays, the Libertadores has become something wanted by fans and institutions alike. For me, it’s a great pleasure to play the Libertadores, I played it last year and this experience after 14 years in Europe was indeed spectacular for me. What would you give in change if you won the Libertadores? (Laughter). The two Championhips. CSF 107