How did your journey into football begin? 

I was the youngest son and would play with my father and brothers. Then, like all children in Brazil, I started playing in the streets with friends. We started playing some amateur clubs from the neighbourhood and then in school I played futsal. 

My career started on the futsal court, then when I was around 10 years old the team that I played futsal with started to play 11-a-side. I was in love with the game, so I was playing everywhere all the time.

At 14 I moved to a professional club to train more specifically on development. The name of the club was Cruzeiro, a big club now owned by Ronaldo. 

How do you feel to have seen a successful career in football? 

I moved to Ajax when I was really young, I was 19 years old when I arrived in Amsterdam. Then I went to Inter, then to Barcelona and I ended at Paris Saint-Germain. This overall was around 20 years of my professional career.

I was really blessed to play for such amazing clubs. 

Do you have any highlights from your playing career?

I have so many! When I was young, we were playing without any money, it was just about having fun and enjoying it. During my professional career I have titles from big clubs, but when I look back the most special thing that I have is friendships. 

A lot of people I see today, we greet each other with a big smile. We laugh and tell stories of what we did in football, on the pitch and off it. 

So of course, the titles, but the experience living with these guys was amazing. 

Can you share your most proud moment?

Probably that first title at Ajax. I was 19 when I started playing my first season in Europe and this title was very special for me. My last one too, which I ended my career on, winning a French Cup at PSG. 

I was able to raise the trophy because the captain allowed me to, it was my last game. 

You’ve done a lot of work with the UEFA Youth League, why do you think this is important for young footballers?

They learn how to compete at the highest level. It is an age that is very important for footballers, many don’t reach the levels to be professional. But here you can see big talents playing against each other and it prepares them for what football is.

Football is a competitive world, and the Youth League is important to prepare them.

Did you always want to stay in football after your playing career finished?

I was preparing myself mentally to stop playing football and to think what the next steps would be. I think when you stop playing you still have a lot to learn and a lot to give.

I was blessed because PSG offered me a job straight away, and I never wanted to leave. I found the MIP programme, which was amazing for me in terms of learning how to be part of a football organisation.

It increased my network immensely because I met so many former players with different goals and objectives.

I studied immediately and I was so lucky to be working, I had the practical and the theory at the same time. 

Did the MIP programme help you gain skills for your career?

Absolutely, in terms of how to be a part of an administration. We are afraid to start studying because we are always prepared on the pitch and are used to doing the same things, but we have so many skills that can be useful. 

MIP keep us believing that and they give us a lot of other tools to start working with different organisations. Some of us went to federations, some to clubs or agencies, it’s a very complete programme that gave us tools to start working. 

Would you encourage other players to complete the programme? 

Yes, I think today football doesn’t allow us to live off our names and our football careers behind us. Football needs people that are prepared to live in this world, we have so much to give. 

It’s an amazing opportunity for people to find themselves. It’s huge for knowledge, your network and communication. 

What does your current role entail? 

For the last year I have been working with Rafaela Pimenta at the former agency of Mino Raiola, having previously worked at PSG as Assistant Sporting Director. I also worked with UEFA for two years.

The agency represented me for 22 years so there is a very personal relationship between me and them. But also, I want to try and give the players technical advice, we try to represent players and plan their careers.

I’m responsible for technical department, which involves the scouting, the career plan and the market. 

Do you think it’s important for players to stay involved in the game?

We always want to see players involved in the game because we have a love for it. It’s easier for us to understand and we know how to protect the players, no matter if you work for a club, UEFA, FIFA, any national associations or in an agency. 

The goal is to protect what we once were, the players. The more involved, the better/

Do you have any personal goals for your career?

I want to enjoy the work that I’m doing and protect the players that we have in the agency. I want to see the talent reach its potential. The goal is to follow these guys, protect them and see them be successful. 

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