Gilberto Silva on sport-fm.gr: “Panathinaikos is coming back, Arao is a fantastic player”

THE Gilberto Silva is undoubtedly one of the biggest football names that have passed through Greece. The Brazilian former defensive midfielder put on his shirt Panathinaikou for three whole years. His arrival in Greece caused excitement among the fans of the “clover” and not only, since at that time he was one of the best players in the world.

A footballer with quality, but also a great person, with personality, a role model for many young athletes. His talent, but also hard work, is what made him play in the world’s top teams and represent his country, Brazil, for nine years, winning the World Cup of 2002. Winning the tournament that year was the highlight of his career, as he would say.

Gilberto Silva, who found in our countryspeak to sport-fm.gr for the team, who loved him so much Panathinaikoshis feelings, about the fact that he was reunited with the friends of the club, he said his opinion about the Brazilian players of the “greens”, while he expressed his regret and displeasure about the tragic results of violence among the fans.

The interview with Marianna Karadima in detail:

Tell us about the Athens Women’s Football Summit.

It is the second time I come to Greece for the Athens Women’s Football Summit. It is a great event. They do a great job supporting women’s football. It’s amazing that people come from all over the world to show their support. One thing I miss and would like to see is more Greek groups coming here and supporting women and this important work that helps the women’s soccer to be developed.

How many years did you have to come to Greece?

The last time I came was in 2019, before the pandemic. Then came the pandemic and it changed a lot of things for all of us. Now it’s great to be back. I’m having a great time at Hellas and I’m glad when I get the chance to come. The people here are fantastic.

You have been one of the top names that have passed through our country. How did you spend the years you were at Panathinaikos and what is it that you have kept from the team?

I really enjoyed it, that I played on Panathinaikos! I had a very nice time. Some people wonder why I came to Greece after Arsenal. What I answer is that people here are very passionate about the game, about football. I came to a very special club, which has a special place in my heart. I made very good friends here.

The people of Panathinaikos loved you from the first moment you came. Did you connect with the fans right away or did it take a while?

The connection was very immediate. The fans were very passionate about the fact that I came to Panathinaikos from Arsenal. Back in Brazil, America Mineiro fans are also very passionate, love and respect your hard work. Coming here, it was the same experience for me. I worked hard and did my best to win the matches and make the fans happy and proud with our results. I respect and love them a lot, because they embraced me and supported me, not only the people of Panathinaikos, but also the Greeks in general.

Still interested in learning about team development?

Of course. I am happy for the club and for the fans. As a former Panathinaikos player, I always want the team to do well, both in Greece and in Europe, and to continue to develop. Panathinaikos went through a difficult period, but now they seem to be coming back and continuing more steadily and I saw this in the team’s training, which I attended. Last year he was very close to winning it championship. That didn’t happen, but he will work hard and fight to make it this year.

How did you feel about attending team training? We saw the warm hug you had with Arao. What do you think of him as a new addition to the team?

It was very nice to see Panathinaikos training up close. I’ve met some really good friends who have been at the club since I’ve been here. I missed them, because they are good people and love the team. It was very moving for me to see them. I know the Brazilian players who are currently in the team quite well. As far as he is concerned Arao, he’s a fantastic player, fantastic person. I was playing with him Bernard at Atlético Mineiro when I came back to Brazil. And he’s a very good kid and a very good football player. They are players of quality and ability who will help the team even more, hopefully, this season.

How do you see football today? Are there any differences from when you were playing?

It’s very different. Now there is VAR. Sometimes it works well, other times it can become annoying as it takes the emotion out of the game, the moments of celebration, but it is what it is. Also, I think that the physical condition of football players today is better. Players practice differently and are more athletic. They are also more aware of how to improve their image and take more care of their diet. Something I do miss, however, is that there are more means to promote and support players’ mental health.

Best player in the world for you?

It’s a little hard to answer because there are so many. If we take into account, however, the last months and the World CupI should say him Messi, because he earned it. For me he is a great player and I really like the way he plays.

In the last two years, unfortunately, two young children lost their lives due to fan violence. Could you tell us your opinion about this kind of violence? Have you ever felt fear while you were on the field?

I have not felt afraid in the stadium. It is, of course, very unfortunate that this is happening. The authorities need to take their responsibilities and the federations and clubs need to work together so that this kind of violence stops. And in Brazil we sometimes face the same problem, because the appropriate measures are not taken by the authorities. These events turn people away from football and make them afraid, when in reality people love to attend the matches.