When you were a kid, you wanted to follow in your dad’s footsteps and become a bus driver. When did football change your plans?
I started playing when I was a small kid but of course I never thought about playing professionally. It just so happened that my hobby became my life. At the beginning I was playing at home, in the courtyard, and then it became more serious. I played for wonderful teams and now its time for the Champions League! I am focused on giving my all at Zenit.
Do you have any other athletes in your family?
No. Some of my family play for fun, and maybe in the future they will become professionals too, but for now I am the only one and I thank God for that.
Everyone knows that football is like a religion in Brazil. Which posters did you hang up on your wall as a child?
My interest in football wasn’t exactly like that, I didn’t have any posters in my room. Although I followed the careers of the greats, Zidane, Messi and others. I was watching them and learning, even though everything they do is on the next level.
When did football stop being a hobby?
I think it happened when I was 16 and signed the contract with my first pro team. A year later I went to Nautico, where I was selected after a month of trials. There were a hundred other players being scouted. I got through and was allowed to train with the main squad. After months of training it was safe to say that Nautico was the first step in my career, and step by step, I've made it to Zenit.
How did you manage to play football and go to school?
I became a pro very quickly and didn’t have time to go to school. We played two games a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, so we travelled a lot. I will definitely go back to educating myself, but at the moment I am interested in the culture of the city and country that I play in.
You also played futsal, which led to a severe injury.
Yes, I had that experience in my life. I would train twice a day, both in futsal and football. It really aided my career as training for futsal developed my short passing abilities and my vision on the pitch. I got injured when I was 15, and I was out for nearly a year but it only made me stronger.
In 2013 you decided to move to Europe and ended up in Udinese, via Granada, but only played a few games there. How come?
I was only 18 when I moved to Europe. Everything was new to me; the culture and the style of play was really hard to adapt to. However, Udinese is a great school. I learned to be more aggressive and learned a few useful tactical tricks. Udinese opened the door to major football for me. I wasn’t playing much but I trained a lot and when you work hard it only benefits you.
In 2013 and 2014 the Brazilian youth national team didn’t lose a single game in Toulon. Did you feel like a star there?
No, not a star. I understood that those wins can mean a lot for my future but nothing more, I only feel happy when I win. When you win one title, you want to win another one straight away, thats it. I never felt like a star.
From 2014 to 2016 you played in Atletico Mineiro with Jo, Tardelli and the great Ronaldinho. Tell us about those times.
It was amazing. I grew into an international team player in Atletico Mineiro, I started thinking about the 2016 Copa America. Diego Tardelli always motivated me on and off the pitch and told me to attack more. Jo is an amazing player and a great man. I always had a good relationship with him, as I did with everyone. Atletico Mineiro was a path to international football for me which led to our win at the Olympic Games.
Tell us about the time when you were included in the team for the Rio Olympics.
It was a special moment. I played for the national team at different ages, but playing at the Olympics has always been a dream of mine. To this day it was the most important competition for me. It was wonderful when I heard that I was included in the squad and gave me more motivation. My whole family was happy for me, my friends too and all the people that grew up and played with me as well. I am thankful for that opportunity.
You played in all the games and Brazil beat Germany in the final. Where is Olympic gold medal now?
My father has all my medals and awards, he made a special trophy cabinet for them. The win at the Olympics was the dream of the whole country, until then, Brazil had never won Olympic gold in football and I am very glad that I was part of a team that made history.
You played with Neymar in that team, but he’s now involved in a number of scandals.
He is an amazing person and it's great that I was lucky enough to play with him in the same team. He is certainly very talented and a player like Neymar will always pull the attention of many people, so any issues he has causes great excitement. I think that all these scandals will only encourage him to grow and play better.
We know that you are friends with Hulk. How did you meet and how often do you communicate?
We became friends through the Brazilian national team. We don’t often chat as we are too far apart and in different time zones. But on special occasions, we call each other. If we find ourselves in Brazil at the same time, we will meet and swap stories.
You’ve already played a few games for Zenit. What do you think about Russian football?
We played the first game at home which was a special moment. Everything was new to me, I was nervous but once I saw the whole stadium supporting us I felt at home. Its a very hot atmosphere, with many smiles all around, the people are kind and honest. I was surprised by the level of football too, the teams are always attacking. I’m happy that I could fit into the team and help them.
Zenit legend Andrei Arshavin has twice named you man of the match. Do you agree with him?
Of course such awards are very nice but we have to remember that everything we do is a result of the team's effort. I hope I will be useful in the future, I didn’t just come here to relax. Just like all Zenit players, I dream of titles, and such titles are only possible if the team wins and gets points.
Is there a player in Zenit who is helping you to adapt here in St. Petersburg?
I haven’t talked to my teammates much outside of training and games yet. Everyone has their lives and I had a lot to deal with too. I only just came here, so I was looking for a flat and solving other household issues. I’m sure that we will get to know each other better and soon become friends and spend time together.
Have you already found a home?
Yes, now I have everything I need, so that I can focus on playing football.
Did anything surprise you in our city at all?
Everything is really big here. It’s a massive city, very wide roads. When I was looking for a place to live, they were all gigantic as well. I like having a lot of space, so everything I saw really surprised me.
