Earlier this month, Rodrigo Muniz caught up with established Brazilian football journalist Venê Casagrande for the daily newspaper O Dia, who have kindly given us permission to reproduce the article on fulhamfc.com.
Can you recall how everything happened from the moment the first club abroad was interested in signing you, to the moment you decided to go to Fulham? Did you think about staying at Flamengo?
Out of all the clubs that spoke to me, I chose the one that I think can help me the most in this moment of my career. Marco Silva is here, and his staff have been helping me a lot. The first team that contacted me and made an offer was Genk, and I was anxious to go. I wanted to play, and I was not going to get many chances to play much at Flamengo. Then Atletico Madrid contacted me. I remember that [former Atletico and current Flamengo left-back] Filipe Luis came and talked to me. Al Nasr also contacted me and, actually, an employee talked to me about the advantages of playing Arabian football. When Fulham contacted me, and Marco Silva called me, after hearing everything he had to say, I chose Fulham.
What did Marco Silva say to you?
He told me about the Club’s project. Everything that he showed me and said, including everything he wanted to do to help me, was very important for my decision.
Did Filipe Luis try to convince you to go to Atletico Madrid?
So, at the time I really wanted to go to Dubai and sign with Al-Nasr. I really did. But my family and agents were not very excited about it. I told Filipe Luis that it would be good for me because of the project, and because of the money as well of course. Filipe said, “You have got to be kidding me. You are 20 years old. Go to Europe, it will be better for you.” But only Atletico Madrid was interested at the time, and I was thinking and thinking… He told me the best thing would be to go to Europe. After I signed with Fulham, he told me it was the best choice I could make.
Today, do you know for sure it was the best choice?
Yes, I can say that it was. Fulham’s project, for me, is amazing. I can tell by the way the management treat me. It is huge.
What is your relationship with Marco Silva like?
He invited me to talk to him in person. He explained that for now he is going to put me on little by little to get experience and match-sharp. I notice that he pays special attention to me. That is important.
How have you been adapting to English football?
I live with my wife here. The most difficult part for me has been the language, English. I have been taking private classes to learn as quickly as possible. The Fulham group has been very welcoming. I got injured during [one of] my first weeks here. Then on Tuesday [against Leeds] I was going to be in the starting squad, and I didn’t want to do anything wrong. I ended up playing. Then, during the penalty shoot-out, I missed and the team was eliminated. I cried a lot, but the entire team supported me. They really supported me. I’m not exaggerating. The captain sent me a message. I thought that was special.
Can you already tell if there is a big difference between Brazilian and English football?
There is a big difference. A really big difference. When I got here, I sent Filipe Luis a message in the first week to tell him about how different it was. It is very intense here. In Brazil there is a lot of quality, and here it is more intense. During matches, you don’t stop for a second here. It is very different. There are a high number of games here as well. Here we travel by train, which helps. It helps and makes a difference. That is not how things work in Brazil.
Do you feel like you have already evolved tactically and physically in England?
Yes, a lot. I already gave my all on the pitch during my time at Flamengo. Here, you either do it, or you do it. You can’t lose focus, tactically speaking as well. Our team is one of the only teams that try to play and keep possession. Most other teams just use long balls.
You can tell that you’re very happy with this new phase of your life.
I am very happy. This is a dream come true, and I mean that.
Who do you want to face in England that you haven’t faced yet?
Next year, God willing, in the Premier League, I want to face Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo?
Well, Manchester United. If he is there, sure! But I want to face Manchester. When I was young, the team I chose when playing video games was Manchester United. They are a team I support in Europe. I really like them, and I want to play there.
What do you want for your future?
I think about getting promoted with Fulham to the Premier League and then think about higher goals. But right now I am focused on Fulham.
Don’t you think of the Brazil national team?
Every player thinks about that. I know it is hard, but I will continue working hard.
