2023-09-07 06:30:54
The start of the League couldn’t be better. Even the sporting director says it’s way above expectations. Would he have imagined making a ten out of twelve in the first four days?
Yes, I thought so. Last year I was already watching Girona’s games and I could see that the team was doing very well. When I arrived I saw that there was even more quality than I imagined. In pre-season I thought we could do big things this season.
He is being one of the sensations of the team. how does it look
I am very happy to play for Girona. The truth is, I’ve never had a streak of playing so well. However, I know the football I can offer and the talent I have. I can give even more to the colleagues and the master. For me the key word is mentality. That way I can improve every game.
Are they misusing people?
Yes, maybe yes, but it’s good to keep winning.
The goal is salvation, right?
For me it’s to be in the top eight and then whatever comes after that. Maybe the Europa League… But I’m ambitious and I’m clear that the goal is to be in the top eight in the standings
The pre-season already saw a great Savinho. In four days what percentage of your best version has been seen?
I could say only 70%. I’m still adapting to playing on the left, but I can perform better on the right. The manager talks to me a lot and I’m happy playing on the left and helping the team. My good foot is the left although I prefer to play on the right and go inside.
Do you notice that with your play, magic and quality you fall in love with people?
Yes, I am aware of that. I love it when I make a watermark and the fans scream or go “oh!” and stands up. I like it very much. After Sunday’s game I was going through videos and I could see the fans getting out of their seats.
Brazilians already have this. Neymar, Vinicius, Ronaldinho…
Yes, of course. Many of us are like that. In addition, the master gives me the freedom and confidence to do so.
What does Míchel ask him?
Personality, mentality and, above all, that he plays with joy. We all have quality and if I add all that, my natural game will come out.
That he plays like he does on the street?
Yes. Of course, and that we treat the ball well.
He has had great games but still needs to score. Does it feel like it’s a pending subject or will it come?
I work to score. Yes, one day or another it will come. I’m a little anxious, maybe yes, because I always look towards the goal and I want to score. It is normal. One day or another it will come, I’m calm. I hope he will be at home, in Montilivi, to celebrate with our fans. God will say
Does Stuani scold him because he sometimes doesn’t pass the ball to him on some occasions?
On the day of the game in Sevilla he did tell me that he was alone and I could have passed him the ball. Nothing happens…I was face down, I didn’t raise my head and I didn’t see him. Then reviewing the video I did see that he was alone, but no problem. we won (River).
I’m told he throws fouls very well as well. Do you know that Girona has not conceded a goal since 2020?
I’m a specialist and I like to kick it. I will have to train with the team and ask permission from Aleix Garcia or Tsygankov to let me kick them.
Are you afraid that the defenders of the League will be very hard on you?
No! And now! I always play with joy.
Does it have character? Against Lazio he was seen confronting a player from the Italian team.
Yes, I have it. If the opponents don’t like my game, they will already. At Lazio there was a Brazilian player (Anderson) who told me not to wear hats or watermarks. I told him that Brazilians play like that and that he did too. Why should he be angry?
what do you dream
Having a great season with Girona and achieving the goals. I see Stuani and I look at him. He is a great player and a great person who the fans idolize when he scores because he has achieved so much here.
Would you like to be like Stuani here?
Yes. I want to be better than Stuani. I am new and young and want to learn to try to achieve what he has done here or even more.
Does he give you advice?
Yes. It helps me a lot. He tells me that I’m very good one-on-one but I need to improve defensively.
Are you stopped on the street in Girona or not yet?
Sometimes, yes. It doesn’t do anything to me. People are very respectful.
How many goals and how many assists will he make this season?
We stayed with the mister who would score eight goals and five assists. At the moment I have already scored one and if I had scored against Sevilla, I would already have two goals. Nothing happens, there are still thirty-four days left and I’m calm.
Who were your idols as a child?
It used to be Neymar. Now it’s Rodrygo, from Madrid.
How old were you when you started playing football?
With six or seven in Espirito Santo, in Sao Mateus.
Did anyone in your family play football too?
Yes, my father did, but in amateur categories.
What did your parents do?
We have a cow farm at home and I have always lived there. We do milk and also rodeo shows. It’s very beautiful.
Darn! Do you rodeo too?
No! I can’t! I’m forbidden.
Have you noticed the difference between the Brazilian milk at home and the Catalan one, or does the nutritionist, Sergi Mateo, not let you drink it?
I haven’t tasted the Catalan one yet… (Laughs).
How does a dwarf from a Sao Mateus farm end up at Atlético Mineiro?
When I was ten years old they came for me and told me they wanted me. First I went alone and then my mother came and stayed with me until I was eighteen.
A very drastic change for such a young vailet.
Yes, because in my case it had always been on the farm, very quiet. After a while, I jump to Atletico Mineiro.
He was immediately South American under-15 champion, youth international and made his debut with the first team at the age of sixteen. Was it hard to put it all together?
No. No problem. It’s all about mindset.
Jorge Sampaoli made his debut.
Yes, he took me up when I was sixteen and then Turco Mohamed gave me a lot of confidence and continuity.
When the City Group, via Troyes, signed him for 6.5 million euros, did he have offers from other teams?
Yes. I wanted Arsenal and also Brazilian Bragantino.
Was that clear?
Yes. I knew that Troyes was the City group and I thought that with work I could one day reach Manchester City. Of course, I will have to do very well here at Girona.
He joined PSV Eindhoven last season. How was the experience?
Really good. It was great. The people at the club treated me very well and so did the fans. I played seven or eight games because I was out for four months due to injury. They were happy with me and even wanted me to come back this season, but I chose to come to Girona.
He will train Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
A great coach. When I signed here he sent me a message saying “good luck at Girona”.
Have you ever spoken to Pep Guardiola?
No. Mai.
What did you know about Girona before coming?
Not much, really. When I finished the U20 World Cup I spoke to my wife and we said that if any team from the Spanish league came, we would like to come here because I wanted to play in the League. Then Girona appeared and here I am. It was a dream to play in the League.
I imagine becoming an absolute international is another of his challenges.
Oh and so much. It would be the maximum. Hopefully he can play in the World Cup in 2026. There is still a long time to go.
At Atlético Mineiro he played with two veterans such as Godín and Diego Costa. Did they advise him?
Yes. They are two top players. When I signed for City, Godín told me it was a very good place for me. Diego Costa always said I had a lot of talent and gave me morale. Turns out he played with Míchel at Rayo Vallecano. For me he is one of the best centre-forwards I have ever played with.
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