Zé Roberto: 'We are fighting for the title'
Shirt 26 answers questions sent by internet users on 'You Interview'
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
A Flamengo fan since childhood, Goiás native Zé Roberto only managed to play for his beloved club this year. Recommended by then-coach Cuca, with whom he had worked at Botafogo, the player was introduced to Flamengo as a major reinforcement for the 2009 Campeonato Carioca. In his debut against Mesquita, he showed off his calling card with a goal.
Over time, his performance declined. A dark period arrived between the end of the state championship and the start of the Brazilian Championship. He was booed and even heckled, and Zé Roberto lost his starting spot. He was also left without the number 10 jersey, which had been reserved for Adriano, the Emperor. With Andrade's appointment, the number 26 improved and gained new opportunities.
At peace with the fans, especially after the excellent football he's been showing during Flamengo's run, the athlete gave an interview to Flamengo's official website. Zé Roberto answered questions from users over the phone.
It was early in the evening of November 18, shortly after leaving training for another decisive game, against Goiás, at Maracanã.
Check out the answers from the guest on Você Entrevista.
Felipe Mariano, advertising professional from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Did your experience in Europe turn out to be less than you expected? What did you learn from your time in Germany, and do you regret anything?
Joe Roberto – It was a great experience. I learned a lot of different things. I didn't play as much as I wanted, and injuries really hampered me, but it was a good experience.
Júlio Blohem, computer technician from Itabuna (BA) – I watched some of your games at Vitória here in Bahia. Did the complete change of scenery, especially Flamengo's large fan base, affect you a bit early in your career?
Joe Roberto – No, it has nothing to do with it. I actually started out well. Then I had a rough patch, but I got over it.
Isabela de SB Gonçalves, student from Petrópolis (RJ) – Zé, you arrived at Flamengo as one of their key signings, but initially, you didn't perform well. Then, when opportunities arose, you capitalized on them and are now one of the team's key players. To what or to whom do you attribute this increase in your performance on the field?
Joe Roberto – The opportunity arose, and I was ready. The team was strong and helped me a lot. Andrade also gave me more opportunities. There wasn't just one essential factor.
Lucas Cruzeiro Codeceira, student from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Will there ever be a point within the club where I think about leaving, about giving up playing for Flamengo? And congratulations on your recovery!
Joe Roberto – No, no. Not at all.
Team Official Website – In an interview, you said you weren't eating the best diet. Now, fans and critics are praising your shape. What have you done to improve your fitness?
Joe Roberto – A more balanced diet. I'm not much of a junk food eater, but I had to keep my mouth shut and prepare more.
Luciano Sousa, researcher from Mossoró (RN) – Since Andrade's arrival, you've been playing well. And Andrade's appointment brought with it a series of changes at Flamengo, such as a change in the football board, salary payments on time, and the bonuses for matches—the "bicho" (a type of bonus). After all, is all this a coincidence, or did these factors really lead you to feel better and play as well as you have been? If so, which ones?
Joe Roberto – No, it has nothing to do with it. It was the on-field training. The salary issue took a back seat.
Fabio Santos, student from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – What is it like for you to play alongside Hadrian and, say, be the Emperor's main subject?
Joe Roberto – Very good. He's a great player, whom we watched on the Brazilian national team and in Italy. It's a pleasure for me; it's been great.
Carlos Eduardo Caruso Ferreira, administrator of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – What does playing for Flamengo mean to you in your career as a football player?
Joe Roberto – Flamengo is special. It's a dream come true, one I had as a child.
Aline Souza, journalist from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Zé, have you adapted to playing as a striker yet? Do you prefer playing that way or as a midfielder?
Joe Roberto – I'm not really a striker. I play as the fourth man, wide, getting forward well. That's how I like to play. I'm well-adapted to the position. I'm enjoying it.
Kesser Debossam Sena, machine operator from Luziânia (GO) – Do you feel resentment towards the fans because of the bad time they went through and didn't support you?
Joe Roberto – No. I knew that Flamengo's fans are large and demanding, and if they don't play well, they boo. And if they do, they applaud.
Adriano Lima, student from Rio das Ostras (RJ) – What does it mean to you to put your name in Flamengo's history with the chance to win a Brazilian title for the club that hasn't won one in 17 years?
Joe Roberto – It's the kind of thing that's priceless. After so many years, if we can pull it off, it's something that will be remembered in the club's history and for the rest of our careers.
Guilherme Santos, student from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Do you already have a contract renewal proposal and are you thinking about staying at Flamengo?
Joe Roberto – Let's talk about this after the Brazilian Championship is over.
Team Official Website – You've scored seven goals since joining Flamengo. Which one was the most special?
Joe Roberto – That goal at Maracanã, the one that turned the game around against São Paulo, who are a direct competitor.
André Fernando Silva Vilar, Internet cafe operator from Manaus (AM) – Is the group focused on the Libertadores Cup or the title?
Joe Roberto – We're fighting for the title. If we don't win, we want to stay in the Libertadores Cup zone, which will be very rewarding, as we've reached 14th place in the standings. But we can't stop thinking about the title.
Over time, his performance declined. A dark period arrived between the end of the state championship and the start of the Brazilian Championship. He was booed and even heckled, and Zé Roberto lost his starting spot. He was also left without the number 10 jersey, which had been reserved for Adriano, the Emperor. With Andrade's appointment, the number 26 improved and gained new opportunities.
At peace with the fans, especially after the excellent football he's been showing during Flamengo's run, the athlete gave an interview to Flamengo's official website. Zé Roberto answered questions from users over the phone.
It was early in the evening of November 18, shortly after leaving training for another decisive game, against Goiás, at Maracanã.
Check out the answers from the guest on Você Entrevista.
Felipe Mariano, advertising professional from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Did your experience in Europe turn out to be less than you expected? What did you learn from your time in Germany, and do you regret anything?
Joe Roberto – It was a great experience. I learned a lot of different things. I didn't play as much as I wanted, and injuries really hampered me, but it was a good experience.
Júlio Blohem, computer technician from Itabuna (BA) – I watched some of your games at Vitória here in Bahia. Did the complete change of scenery, especially Flamengo's large fan base, affect you a bit early in your career?
Joe Roberto – No, it has nothing to do with it. I actually started out well. Then I had a rough patch, but I got over it.
Isabela de SB Gonçalves, student from Petrópolis (RJ) – Zé, you arrived at Flamengo as one of their key signings, but initially, you didn't perform well. Then, when opportunities arose, you capitalized on them and are now one of the team's key players. To what or to whom do you attribute this increase in your performance on the field?
Joe Roberto – The opportunity arose, and I was ready. The team was strong and helped me a lot. Andrade also gave me more opportunities. There wasn't just one essential factor.
Lucas Cruzeiro Codeceira, student from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Will there ever be a point within the club where I think about leaving, about giving up playing for Flamengo? And congratulations on your recovery!
Joe Roberto – No, no. Not at all.
Team Official Website – In an interview, you said you weren't eating the best diet. Now, fans and critics are praising your shape. What have you done to improve your fitness?
Joe Roberto – A more balanced diet. I'm not much of a junk food eater, but I had to keep my mouth shut and prepare more.
Luciano Sousa, researcher from Mossoró (RN) – Since Andrade's arrival, you've been playing well. And Andrade's appointment brought with it a series of changes at Flamengo, such as a change in the football board, salary payments on time, and the bonuses for matches—the "bicho" (a type of bonus). After all, is all this a coincidence, or did these factors really lead you to feel better and play as well as you have been? If so, which ones?
Joe Roberto – No, it has nothing to do with it. It was the on-field training. The salary issue took a back seat.
Fabio Santos, student from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – What is it like for you to play alongside Hadrian and, say, be the Emperor's main subject?
Joe Roberto – Very good. He's a great player, whom we watched on the Brazilian national team and in Italy. It's a pleasure for me; it's been great.
Carlos Eduardo Caruso Ferreira, administrator of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – What does playing for Flamengo mean to you in your career as a football player?
Joe Roberto – Flamengo is special. It's a dream come true, one I had as a child.
Aline Souza, journalist from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Zé, have you adapted to playing as a striker yet? Do you prefer playing that way or as a midfielder?
Joe Roberto – I'm not really a striker. I play as the fourth man, wide, getting forward well. That's how I like to play. I'm well-adapted to the position. I'm enjoying it.
Kesser Debossam Sena, machine operator from Luziânia (GO) – Do you feel resentment towards the fans because of the bad time they went through and didn't support you?
Joe Roberto – No. I knew that Flamengo's fans are large and demanding, and if they don't play well, they boo. And if they do, they applaud.
Adriano Lima, student from Rio das Ostras (RJ) – What does it mean to you to put your name in Flamengo's history with the chance to win a Brazilian title for the club that hasn't won one in 17 years?
Joe Roberto – It's the kind of thing that's priceless. After so many years, if we can pull it off, it's something that will be remembered in the club's history and for the rest of our careers.
Guilherme Santos, student from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Do you already have a contract renewal proposal and are you thinking about staying at Flamengo?
Joe Roberto – Let's talk about this after the Brazilian Championship is over.
Team Official Website – You've scored seven goals since joining Flamengo. Which one was the most special?
Joe Roberto – That goal at Maracanã, the one that turned the game around against São Paulo, who are a direct competitor.
André Fernando Silva Vilar, Internet cafe operator from Manaus (AM) – Is the group focused on the Libertadores Cup or the title?
Joe Roberto – We're fighting for the title. If we don't win, we want to stay in the Libertadores Cup zone, which will be very rewarding, as we've reached 14th place in the standings. But we can't stop thinking about the title.