José Roberto da Silva Jr. commonly known as Zé Roberto, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for the Brazilian Série A club Grêmio as a midfielder. Zé Roberto is a two times Copa América winner with Brazil and four times German champion with Bayern Munich.
Q: In your opinion, who should win the 2012 Golden Foot, the career prize, and why? Here are the nominees: Buffon (Italy), Casillas (Spain), Drogba (Ivory Coast), Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Kakà (Brazil), Pirlo (Italy), Puyol (Spain), Raul (Spain), Seedorf (Netherlands), Xavi (Spain).
Trending
A: I vote for Xavi Hernandez, from FC Barcelona.
Q: What has changed in Brazilian football? Many clubs are keeping their talents and some big names have also arrived (Forlan, Ronaldinho, Seedorf…)
A: It’s because the clubs are more strongest than they were years ago. The economy of our country is living a good moment too, so the players feel secured to come here and play on Brazilian football.
Q: At Gremio, you played with Gilberto Silva, 2002 World Champion. Do you think that many times the importance of player like you and him (central midfielders in front of the defence) is underestimated?
A: No, I don’t. It’s an old culture, a think that palyers are so important to form a group.
Q: Is it already Neymar’s Selecao or we have to wait?
A: He is definitely ready to be a star in our team. He is mature and a fantastic football player.
Q: Do you suggest to Neymar to play immediately in Europe? In which country?
A: To play in Europe is important for players like him, but in Santos he has a great support as a performer. I think that Neymar will go to Europe soon, but our football, in Brazil, is more competitive than before.
Q: After Ronaldo, Brazil have had many problems to find a new, great goal scorer, a number 9. Why?
A: I don’t know. Adriano almost was that guy, but he had a lot of problems off the field. After Ronaldo, he was the best number 9. Now Brazil have a lot of young players with talent. So, we have to wait.
Q: How is Pato seen in Brazil?
A: He is a great talent with many injures. Pato here in Brazil has a very big name. He played in Internacional, but went to Europe when he was very young. Pato is a very talented player and can help AC Milan and Brazil a lot.
Q: Could Kakà return to Brazil national team as number 10? What do you think about his situation at Real, does he have to leave?
A: Football players need to be happy for play well. Kaká is a fantastic player, he already won the Ballon d’Or. I believe that he can help his team and maybe make a come back to the Brazilian team.
Q: What do you think over last Champions League final and “your” Bayern Munich defeat?
A: Bayern played so well in the final. I think they should have won, but we know that sometimes the best team don’t win the championship. Because of this football is a fantastic sport.
Q: A Brazilian can understand how is it possible to pay €40 million for a defender, even if very good like Thiago Silva?
A: Yes, of course. He is a great defender, maybe the best in the world.
Q: How is the situation of football in Qatar? Do you think it’s the right place to host a World Cup?
A: They have all things to make a great World Cup. They have money, but they not very organized. It’s important to the country to make football more popular there. The stadiums are empty and never crowded.
Q: In Europe, you played in Germany and few games in Spain, but which other league (Serie A, Premier League..) do you like to play in?
A: Bundesliga is a fantastic league, because the stadiums are always sold out, but I think the Premiere League is a great league too.
Q: What was wrong at Real Madrid? Have you any regret of that experience?
A: Madrid is a fantastic club, but at that time I needed to play to be ready do 1998 World Cup. At Madrid it was so difficult to get in time, so a moved to Germany.
Q: What happened at 2006 World Cup?
A: Brazil had a Dream Team… but the pre-tournament preparations wasn’t like it should have been.
Q: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
A: My 12 years in Germany, I guess.
Q: Which are the best you have played with?
A. Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno”.
Q: What are your plans for the future, after you retire from football? Is a coaching career possible?
A: No, I don’t think about coaching as a career. My wish is build an Institute to help the poor children. The name will be “Colhendo frutos em terra seca”.
Q: If your son wants to be a pro footballer, what will you suggest to him?
A: To believe in his dreams but he doesn’t like football very much.
Thank to Gremio FBPA press office.
