Carlos Alberto Torres spoke exclusively to Sambafoot about who he thinks is the best Brazilian player to play in Europe in 2011.
”I have seen many quality players in the European championsips this year, but I still think the best and most consistent, for me, has been Thiago Silva of AC Milan.”
The former Brazilian international believes that the AC Milan defender is the perfect choice to captain the Selecão in the 2014 world cup.
”He will certainly be one of the two centre backs playing for the Selecão in the 2014 world cup. He’s established himself in the team and would make a perfect captain for 2014. His position on the pitch, where he can talk with team-mates makes him the ideal captain for us.”
In second place, Carlos Alberto opted for Barcelona’s Daniel Alves and for third, Lazio’s, Hernanes.
The former Santos and Fluminense player was also asked about the difference between Brazilian players playing in Europe compared to those playing in Brazil.
”Some players who used to play in Europe are returning to Brazilian football, but they’re players who are sbout 30 years old. On the other hand it’s not the younger players that are coming back because the European clubs are trying to take them from here to go to there (Europe). It’s a natural tendency,” Torres explained.
Carlos Alberto also recommended three players that played in the 2011 Brasileirão for clubs in Europe: Vasco defender, Dedé, São Paulo midfielder, Lucas Moura, and ex- Fluminense right-back, Mariano, who has just recently signed for Bordeaux.
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