Rai: “Ganso’s frailty is disturbing”

Gol de Letra Association was founded in 1998 and 13 years after its inception, what have you acheived? We created two major education, sports and culture centres, one in Sao Paulo and the second in Rio. We had very good results with more than 5,000 children who have passed through these structures and the educational model […]
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sambafoot_admin
2011-11-11 15:15:00

Gol de Letra Association was founded in 1998 and 13 years after its inception, what have you acheived?

We created two major education, sports and culture centres, one in Sao Paulo and the second in Rio. We had very good results with more than 5,000 children who have passed through these structures and the educational model was taken up in four other cities in Brazil. We have other candidate cities, ready to copy the system within two years.

Have you had support from the two cities where the centers are located?

Our training program for young sports trainers was taken by the state of São Paulo as a model, that is to say that what is established in terms of the methodology and content of our training will be applied throughout the state of São Paulo.These are results that encourage us to continue to grow in other regions of Brazil.

Seleção

After a year and a half as the head of the national team, how do you assess Mano Menezes?

It’s a mixed picture. There were some good things about the renewal of the team which made upon taking office, with a good young generation coming through. But, we must recognize that he has not yet found a clear direction and the results obtained so far are not up to the standard people expect. Despite this, the Federation and the people of Brazil have kept confidence, even though we are still disappointed. I do not think any other coach can do beeter right now as head of Brazil. Let him have a year and at that time, we can make a more accurate and deeper assesment.

Can the lack of competitive games affect the play of the national team?

I think this is a real danger for the national team because all the great players in Brazil play in major championships and whenever there is a friendly, even unconsciously in the head, players relax. It remains only a friendly game without pressure even if for the national team, the implications are different. It’s really not the best preparation for the World Cup. The Olympic Games will be the only competition before the Confederations Cup and could form the basis for the younger generation.

At first, Menezes had sidelined old and had focused on youth. Was it a good approach for you?

Keeping a balance between youth and experience is always very important. However, Brazil has very good youngsters and I think we need to build a base with these young players and mentor them with a couple of more experienced players. It is not the solution to bring back the older guys, since in 2014 they will not be in the same physical condition. Menezes must make strong choices.

Mano Menezes has tested 74 different players in a year and a half, is it not too many?

I think now he will not have the time to try so many different players and must decide finally on a spine for the Seleção. Of course there are problems with the calendar and injury but, he should have a slightly smaller group for some time.

Ganso and Neymar

It is often said that you and Ganso are very similar in style of play. Do you think he can reach the highest level?

This season he has had several injuries that are serious enough to demonstrate some physical frailty and this is disturbing for the rest of his career. But, when he is 100%, he is an exceptional player.

A word about Neymar…

He is by far the best player in Brazil and I hope he can duplicate his performance in the Brazilian shirt. But, I still think that Ganso can be just as good and that both players are very complementary.

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sambafoot_admin
Nov 11, 2011

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