Parisian legend: Dembele is like a Brazilian playing football on the street and regrets Neymar s injury

Nene,

44, is still active in the green field. Twelve years after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the elegant Brazilian continues his career with the EC Youth Team of La Liga (Cahias Dusour near Porto Alegre in southern Brazil), setting records and conquers the audience with his superb left-footing skills. When this always passionate player talked about the evolution of football and the top of the Champions League in Paris, he was filled with emotion as an early member of the Qatar Sports Investment Group (QSI). Nene recently accepted an exclusive interview with the French media "Team" newspaper.

Reporter: "You have imagined that you are still playing in the green field at the age of 44?"

Nene: "When I returned to Brazil ten years ago, I planned to retire calmly. But I started my second career. Three years ago, at the Vascoda Gama team, we held a meeting with senior management to decide what I had to do after retirement. But the next day, the coach of the Youth Team called: 'You can't retire, come and help us.' At that time, the team had just been promoted to the top league. He said what I wanted to hear - I still feel that I am capable and love challenges. But this year should be the last year."

"Brazil football pursues speed and strength, and the space for technical players is compressed , is this why you are still active? "

Nene: "It is indeed the case. (Laughs) In Brazil, most clubs prefer fast and strong players, and their technical quality has declined. This is why I can still gain a foothold. In France, I was regarded as a veteran at the age of 30, and I was in good shape at the time: I weighed 60 kilograms without injuries, and I did not touch alcohol. Although I lost my explosive power, my endurance was still there, and I was calm when I had the ball!"

Reporter: "You have become the oldest goal scorer in the Brazilian league, and scored a record for 26 consecutive years. Is it your motivation to break the record and leave a mark?"

Nene: "The greatest motivation is the love for football, this is me The passion is. Leaving a mark is also one of the reasons. I surpassed idols such as Ze Roberto and Romario, and being able to write my name into history is a glory. Although I have been away from Brazil for a long time, I have no regrets - the peak of my career is in Europe, and the five years in Monaco and Paris are the most brilliant. If I say regret, I can only leave Paris (January 2013). If I had the current mature mentality at that time, I might stay in the team or join the giants before joining Algarafa, Qatar. I chose economic factors, which is a life choice. "

Reporter: "The long career allows you to witness the changes in football. How do you view this evolution?"

Nene: "Brazil players' technical talent is always loved - the kind of courage to break through and create differences. We still have talent, but as mentioned, the technical tradition is lost. European teams are looking for this type of player, while Brazilian clubs prefer to invest in resale players. The scouts first look at height and body size: 'at least 1.8 meters, muscle type.' At the same time, tactical literacy is improving. In the past, Brazilian teams were loosely organized and did not listen to coaches. (Laughs) Now we are making great strides in discipline and tactical execution, but we must protect technical players."

Reporter: "Have you paid attention to Paris's Champions League journey in recent times?"

Nene: "Of course! I'm crazy for them. Fans deserve it. The Champions League is a special stage. Compared to a club with a longer history, Paris is still young, but it accumulates experience every year. When you see the performance of the final (5-0 win over Inter Milan), you will sigh: 'This is worth it!' This is a nearly perfect victory."

Reporter: "What is the most appreciate of this team?"

Nene: "Team cohesion, coach (Enrique), fans - the three are as united as one person. This is not always the case. Our old players often discuss and support them. For Nasser (Chairman), for those who have been there since my time. It's so happy."

Reporter: "Does leaving Paris still make you feel vaguely?"

Nene: "It's painful? No. That's a joint decision. At that time, Leonardo (sports director) and senior management wanted to postpone the contract renewal. Everything is a new exploration. Some people said 'You left too early', but that was the right time. I don't want to wait for past achievements (21 goals tied for the Ligue 1 Golden Boot in 2011-12, winning the championship with Montpellier). I long for competition. Looking back may stay, but without regrets."

Reporter: "You mentioned the unity of the current team. Which individuals impressed you?"

NENE: "Enrique teaches Practicing 100% of his style. I appreciate his calmness for those players who create differences, like the Brazilians playing on the street, is a real discovery; Dembele now only does the right things; Marginhos doesn't need to say much. He makes everyone feel the importance, which is very rare. Reporter: "QSI has been in charge for fourteen years, and has returned to simplicity from over-investment. Has the club taken a detour?"

Nene: "I didn't know what the right path was at that time! They hoped to succeed faster, and no one expected such difficulties. It was like building Lego first, building something wrong, and then adjusting the direction, and it needs to be supplemented in this way The final story is more touching. ”

Reporter: "How to evaluate the time of compatriot Neymar in Paris (2017-2023)? ”

Neyne: "Repentance was affected by injury. At that time, there was a lack of cohesion today, and the depth of the lineup was not as good as that of today. When Veratti was injured, there was no substitute of the same level. Looking at Bayern, the starting lineup was equally luxurious as the substitute. To win the Champions League, it must be like this. People now criticize the past, but almost succeeded at that time: if Mbappe received a pass from Neymar in the 2020 Champions League final (0-1 against Bayern)... He contributed magical moments and wonderful goals. Although I also have excellent works, it is far less than him!"