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He has won the FIFA World, the UEFA Champions League and a hoard of other accolades in an illustrious career – FC Goa’s marquee player Lucio is now strutting his stuff in India and his enjoying his time here. In a chat with journalists in Chennai ahead of Goa’s clash with Chennaiyin FC, the Brazilian defender expressed his faith in his former manager Jose Mourinho’s ability to turn around what has been a disastrous start to Chelsea’s season so far.
On Jose Mourinho and Chelsea
In a competitive environment like European football, you cannot win everything, every year. Maybe you can if you are Barcelona, but even they falter sometimes.
So, it is not wise to write Jose off now. He is a great manager, and with the quality at his disposal at Chelsea, he will turn it around.
On playing in the ISL
This is a great league, which is very well organized. So, I’m enjoying here. It is even more special because Zico is my manager, and he is a very special person.
On Zico compared to other managers
I won’t compare Zico with Mourinho or anybody. Every manager has his own way, and Zico is no different. He is a very honest guy, who works extremely hard to get the best out of every player, which is what every manager should do.
On meeting former teammate Marco Materazzi
It is nice to see Marco again. We lived a dream of winning the Champions League together, so obviously we share wonderful memories together. Not just Marco, Elano is also a very good friend, and I’m happy that I am able to meet them and play with them again.
On the structure of Indian football
It does not make sense to have two different leagues. If a single proper structured league is in place, which meets all the required standards, that will be beneficial for Indian football.
On leaving Bayern Munich for Inter Milan
Bayern shaped a large part of my career, and I am thankful to them. It was a personal choice to move to Inter, so I hold no grudges. Even now, my kids watch every game fervently supporting Bayern.
On the current situation of the Brazilian national team
Last year, what was supposed to be a party at home turned into a disaster. So, the team has to turn it around. There are a lot of very capable players, who need to be integrated as a unit, so that they play as a team.
As a Brazilian, I’m wishing the national team all the luck in redeeming themselves.
On what achievements he considered special to him
The Brazilian said that nothing could top winning the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League, but he also said it was special when he was named in the FIFPRO Team of the Year for 2010.
