Ibson: portrait of a passionate red-black

With a swollen right ankle, the player pushes Flamengo to the Copa Libertadores

Eduardo Peixoto

From GLOBOESPORTE.COM

Smiling has been Ibson's trademark since returning to Fla, his home

In Flamengo's chat rooms, he became "Ibshow." An idol among Flamengo fans, the midfielder never changes his hyperactive personality. While giving interviews, he constantly shakes his leg. On the field, he also can't seem to stay still.

He tackles, runs, cheers, complains, passes, shoots, scores. He's already six in the Brazilian Championship. Not bad for someone who debuted in August and was an active part of the surge that lifted Flamengo from 19th place to third.

The Libertadores is a tangible dream and could even come after the match against Atlético-PR this Sunday. Perhaps even more so than the Brazilian national team. In the match against Uruguay last Wednesday, none of the starting eleven played in Brazil. The preference is for those abroad. But Ibson tries to cling to the—rare—examples that go against the norm to aspire to a spot in future call-ups.

"Ah, but Kléber, from Santos, was called up. And Mineiro and Josué also had a chance when they were still at São Paulo. I think if the player is doing well and the club is also going through a good period, the national team will open its doors. I have that dream," says the player, who turned 24 on November 7th.

Worse still, until July of this year, he was in a more "comfortable" position. He played in the highly regarded European football league. But misfortune began to take its toll. A series of injuries and the intransigence of coach Jesualdo Ferreira relegated him to second place at Porto.

"It was complicated. My fiancée, now my wife, took a leave of absence from college to help me. I was very upset about it; the coach said I didn't fit his style of play. So I thought it was the right time to come home," says Ibson, whose contract with Flamengo runs until June 30.

"If I could stay until the end of my career, I would stay with the greatest pride. This is my home, where I was raised and spent my childhood and adolescence. To play for Flamengo, you have to love this club."\ Ibson: race, love and passion for Mengão\

The number 7 hasn't yet experienced the boos at Gávea. When he can't solve a problem with technique, he resorts to determination. Even with his swollen right ankle, a legacy of the stomp he received in the match against Inter in August.

- If you look, you'll see that it's not normal. It still hurts a little when I kick. It will only get better during the holidays - he says, in an interview with GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in the lobby of the hotel where Flamengo was staying in Teresópolis.

GLOBOESPORTE.COM: The year isn't even over yet and there's already speculation that you could leave Flamengo in January. There's been talk of a return to Porto, and interest from Olympiacos...

Ibson: My contract with Flamengo runs until June 30th, and I can't leave before that. The contract is meant to be fulfilled. Whether I'll stay after that, I don't know. I'm in a great position right now, but it's not up to me, but rather up to Porto, Flamengo, and my agent.

Jesualdo Ferreira, with whom you had issues, remains Porto's coach. Would that be one less reason for you to return? Yes, we had a problem. But I have nothing against him. Jesualdo always said I didn't fit his style of play. I sought out a place at Flamengo, did a good job, and started playing well again. That's the most important thing. I proved him wrong (watch the video of Ibson's presentation below).

But do you still dream of shining at Porto?\ I have a contract there for a few more years and I do dream. I shone in 2005 and 2006. I have a lot of affection for the fans, but right now I'm at Flamengo and I have to think only about that and achieving the greater goal, which is the Libertadores.\

In 2004, you were on that Flamengo team that lost the Copa do Brasil to Santo André and consequently missed out on a spot in the Copa Libertadores. Did reaching the continental tournament become an obsession? I didn't play in any Libertadores, but we lost the Copa do Brasil final to Santo André in a tough match. It was a disappointment not just for me, but for the entire fan base. I was very sad, very upset. It took me a while to digest that defeat and even longer to leave the house because of the shame I felt. Not just me, but the entire team.

Was there something missing from that final? Or was there just too much hype? The week was uneventful. Nothing special happened; we went in focused. We just missed scoring. It was the worst moment of my career. They came in shooting in the dark because if they won, they would become heroes. We have to take this as a lesson in this final stretch of the Brazilian Championship.

At this point, Ibson is informed by Flamengo's press officer, Leonardo André, that he has been named one of the three best players in his position in the Brazilian Championship. He smiles and discusses the upcoming December 3rd match at the Municipal Theater.

I had a very sad time last year, with two injuries. I broke my foot and then had a knee problem. I was very disappointed, but I'm back in good shape, and back in the Flamengo jersey, where I had an excellent Brazilian Championship in 2004. I want to continue this work, which has been very rewarding.

My wife is definitely very happy. She calls me and jokes about whether I've already bought my prize outfit. She said she had secured hers. I'm happy, but I'm grateful to the group because I'm not playing alone.

"It was a disappointment not just for me, but for the entire fan base. I was very sad, very upset. It took me a while to digest that defeat and even longer to leave the house because of the shame I felt. Not just me, but the entire team."\ Ibson recalls the 2004 Copa do Brasil loss\ Do you love Flamengo?\ Oh, man. I can say I do. I've been at Flamengo since I was nine. I left at 21 and came back at 23. I spent many years here. It's impossible not to have a great affection. You could say I'm passionate about the club. And I'm sure the fans feel the same way.\

Do you feel like an idol to the fans? I wouldn't say idol, but they have a lot of affection for me. They've always supported me, and I've never had any problems with the fans. I've never left the stadium booed. Even in 2004, when we were in a difficult situation after losing the Copa do Brasil title and having a poor run in the Brazilian Championship.

Does your playing style help with this identification?\ It helps; you can also see that with Toró. He's earned recognition for his drive. At Flamengo, you might not be playing your best, but if you're trying hard, the fans are happy.\

Would you wear the jersey of another Brazilian club?\ I'm a professional. If an offer comes in, I certainly won't turn it down outright. Other clubs wanted to sign me before I signed with Flamengo, but at the time I was in, the best thing was to return.\

If I could stay here until the end of my career, I would be incredibly proud. This is my home, where I grew up and spent my childhood and adolescence. To play for Flamengo, you have to love this club.

Despite all this love, was returning to Brazilian football at 23 (he's currently 24) in your plans? No, it was a surprise. I was sad because the coach said I didn't fit into his way of working. I knew I didn't have a chance with him, but at the same time I was convinced I could stay in Europe because I'm a very happy person. I rarely frown. Football is about joy, and if it's not that way, you can't do a good job. I had some sad moments, but I always smiled within the club. My problems stayed at home.

But if you had a market in Europe, why did you decide to return? Because at the time I was living, I needed something more. And there was nothing better than Flamengo. Confidence is everything. Joel gives me total confidence. I had that at Porto, with José Couceiro, in 2005. We had an excellent team with Maniche, Diego, Costinha, Luís Fabiano, and I was able to play. With a sequence of matches, you build self-esteem and morale. That helps a lot.

Throughout Flamengo's run in the Brasileirão, what was the game that had the biggest impact on you? Against São Paulo. I had injured my right ankle, missed three games, and was still in a lot of pain. If you noticed, I was still limping a bit. And I wasn't playing well, partly due to my lack of rhythm. But it was a tough match, and (laughs) the man up there gave me a blessing. You can see the ball bounced off everyone, and I managed to pull it back with my shoulder and score the winning goal (watch the video below).

Ibson puts his hand to his ankle and adds: It's still swollen today. You can see it. It's not back to normal yet because we don't stop. It'll only really get better during the holidays. I feel a little pain when I hit the ball because I don't like wearing bandages. I used to wear them for four games, but I stopped because they limit some movement.

Was there some kind of pact for this run in the Brazilian Championship?\ No. We knew we had a good group. No one has a problem with anyone, there's no vanity. But on the field, we really hold each other accountable. Discussions are normal; it's about getting things right. I can't say "please mark." We have to be a little more aggressive.\

Are you the most hyped up of the group?\ As people say, I can't sit still. I'm a happy guy, I'm always\ joking. I think that when I'm sad, you'll notice it quickly. Happiness is written all over my face.\

"When I'm on the bus arriving at Maracanã and I see that stadium packed, it's very emotional. It gives me goosebumps and a real desire to win."\ Ibson talks about Flamengo fans\ Are you like that at home too?\ Oh, my wife (Cínthia) is very similar to me. We've been together for seven years and sometimes I say we seem like great friends. We agree on everything and now I have my son, which makes things even more exciting.\

And do you know how to change a diaper yet?\ I do. I help with almost everything. The only reason I don't bathe him is because he's still very soft (he's a little over 20 days old) and I'm scared. I don't even like to hold other people's children, but mine is a no-brainer. He wakes up a lot during the night and I try to help my wife.\

Is the match against Atlético-PR the most important of all the ones you've played for Flamengo? It's a great moment. Flamengo hasn't been in a situation like this for many years, and our goal is to qualify for the Copa Libertadores. In 2004, there was also a lot of euphoria because we were Rio de Janeiro champions and reached the Copa do Brasil final. But this one is even better.

The fans are a separate chapter in the team's journey in this Brazilian Championship. How do you see this moment of harmony between players and fans? They've supported us since we were in 19th place. It's a very special moment; they've shown up at every game, packing out the Maracanã. When I'm on the bus and see that stadium packed, Jesus, it's so moving. It gives me goosebumps and makes me want to win.