![]() ![]() People focus so much on the physical that I sometimes wonder: what matters? What is a footballer? He who runs more or he who plays better? When you focus on physicality you reduce a player’s ability to create, to decide, to do something different.Įverything is being roboticised. Teams are so focused on having strong players, players who are beasts physically, but football is a sport of good feet. Lots of teams have a high level, but I still think those with the best individual talents will be a step ahead. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images If the ball goes to the first line, the second, the third, if it’s a pass that accelerates the move or slows it, if it controls, if it is a fake pass, if it is a pass with an objective.ĭani Alves in a friendly v Japan in June. Where’s my teammate? Where does he shoot from? What movements does he make? You have to see. Pass the ball to the teammate in the box. In the end it is your identity, your creativity, your ideas, your decisions. My characteristics were always to break models, systems, structures. That’s always been the case and it’s what makes me different, what gives me a creative power others don’t have. For me dominating this game, really mastering it, is not about what happens when the ball is at my foot but before it is at my foot. Positioning matters: he who runs a lot, passes less. You can be as fast as you want but the ball flies and you’re never going to run that quick. I loved football when they didn’t pay me now they do, great, but I play football because of the feelings it provokes.” “I don’t think I’ll be at the next one: I didn’t know if they would want me at this one, so imagine the next.” He was determined not to miss this, the last time. When you have a ‘good foot’, it’s like riding a bike: you never forget.”Īlves missed out on the 2018 World Cup through injury and says “that hurt but I don’t sink in my own pity”. Mentally and physically I’m ready to help and not just from outside but inside. Winner of 124 caps and of 49 trophies – his calculation – the Brazil head coach, Tite, calls him an “animal”.Īlves claims not having a competitive game in two months might even be a good thing – “when you play the risk of injury increases”, he laughs – and says: “I’m perfect. But while that matters, don’t think that’s the only thing that attracted the selec ao to the 39-year-old who was last seen in the middle of the Pumas midfield in Mexico, hasn’t played since September and could only train with Barcelona’s B team. ![]()
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