First question, how are you?
Perfect! I feel much better, it’s unbelievable. I’m back training with the first team and feel very positive. I really want to play for Zenit in competitive matches as soon as possible.
How did you survive being out with such a serious injury for such a long time?
I’m always smiling and always positive, injuries won't change that. You have to keep up that attitude and not change that. It was not easy to deal with that injury and I was constantly thinking about it, I knew that I couldn’t get over it quickly. The recovery process was long, but my personality helped me overcome it.
Can you tell us what you did during your recuperation?
The first part was in St. Petersburg, then I went home to Brazil, because there’s a better climate there and I had my family, friends and girlfriend around me. Then the final part I spent in Dubai. I also went to Finland before the training camp to get a doctor to check me over. He confirmed I was fine and that was great.
Sergei Semak has said that he would carefully bring you back to the first team and full training. How would you rate your readiness?
I’m very happy that Sergei Semak has designed my return the way he has. I feel that I am not ready just yet and it is important not to rush things. It is difficult to say by the number of days, but I hope that I will return to my previous level quickly. Now I am working on my physical conditioning and I feel that I am improving, I’m not at the optimum level yet, but everything is happening to ensure that I get there.
Has the whole injury situation given you more time to get used to St. Petersburg and Zenit?
Yes, I feel that I have really got used to St. Petersburg. I really like the weather when it's cold outside, as we hardly go out. My girlfriend loves shopping, so when it’s cold, she buys a lot less, That’s great!
Looking at your Instagram, you met some lovely wild animals in Dubai, especially eagles. Weren’t you scared?
I had some free evenings in Dubai as in the mornings I had double training. One evening, my friend and I visited a private zoo and I got to interact with the animals there, tigers, hyenas and a lion. It was a little bit scary yes, because they are predators and love meat, and I’m sure they would eat me if they could. Thank God they didn’t and I’m alive (laughs). It was an interesting experience.
During the match with Dynamo, you managed to hit the ref with the ball and it became one of the most popular football memes of 2019. Are you pleased about that?
Of course! But I don’t want to keep this going, next time I’m playing the referee might remember it! But in general, yes I’m pleased and this was a happy accident. I wanted to get the game going as soon as possible and it's cool that the ref reacted so well. I am pleased that the video has got so much attention, but let me say again, it was an accident!
Were you surprised that a Russian referee has a sense of humour?
I was very surprised! At first I was worried the ref might give me a red card, thinking I deliberately kicked the ball at him. But I said sorry, I really had no intention to do it. He reacted really well, I liked that!
What is the difference between training at Zenit and Barcelona?
There’s really no difference because all clubs training camps before the season are quite similar. There are some minor differences, at Barcelona, we did more work with the ball, here we run a bit more, work in the gym more. But, overall, it is very similar.
Foreigners at Zenit often say they don’t understand Dzyuba’s jokes, but still laugh. Is that the same for you?
To be honest, I still don’t understand what he is saying. But looking at the reaction of others, you can normally tell it’s a joke. I’ve got a good sense of humor, so start to laugh with the others. It’s great that the team has a guy like him, he keeps up moral and makes a nice atmosphere.
