Rodinei’s incredible speech about the agreement in Greece: “I was like… a dizzy cockroach, I did everything in reverse”

THE Rodney he was one of the main contributors to the course of Olympiakos until its conquest Conference Leaguemaking excellent appearances at the right end of the defense, where he was an almost permanent presence.

The Brazilian full-back spoke to a television network in his country after all the material, referring to the adaptation to Hellasin his presence with the Piraeus, in his love relationship with Flamenco but also in his ambitions for the future.

At the same time, he did not fail to share some funny stories from his stay in our country, mainly about the difficulty of communication due to the language difference.

What he said in detail:

For the 2023-24 season: “She was very special to me. We made history in Greece, now it’s time to rest a bit, enjoy family and friends and come back. For me it is very important. I already have two seasons at Olympiakos after the best season of my career, which was 2022 with Flamengo. It is good for a player to always maintain a high level. This season was very special.”

On his experience in European football: “I feel like it was worth it. I had been discouraged for a while, thinking that my chance to play in Europe would never come. When the offer from Olympiakos appeared, I had no second thoughts about leaving for Europe. I already knew I was ready to live in this moment. 100% prepared, I don’t think we ever are, but I was very focused and that’s why the results came and things worked out in my life.

And, thank God, it did. So I arrived well prepared, I know the adjustment at first was not easy, mainly because of the weather and the language. I didn’t speak English, in Spanish everyone knows I spoke a mixture of Spanish-Portuguese, which I learned from my teammates over the years at Flamengo but my adaptation was very fast.”

For its adaptation in Greece: “I was welcomed very well in Greece, the Greek people have the Brazilian energy, they are tender, they embrace people. They love Brazilians there, so I felt at home with their great affection for me, so that made my adaptation fast and I was able to show my best football there in Europe, especially in the Olympiacos club. So I’m very happy right now.

I didn’t know anything, but it all depends on the energy, the important thing is to get the messages to the people. And today, at least I can get the message across, even though they don’t understand me. But that’s okay, I can get the message across. The important thing is that it comes from the heart. Sometimes it’s a smile, other times it’s a look, especially in the game. I pay a lot of attention to things, I always study and today I can say that I have adapted to Greece”.

For the level of Greek football: “Like you said, it’s not among the top-5 best leagues, but it’s European football. And in European football, everyone knows the quality, it’s very difficult football, organized. In Greece there are many players who have played in big clubs in Europe, like Marcelo, who played I don’t know how many seasons in Real Madrid and won so much, but he didn’t star at Olympiakos. Hames is another example.

It was different for me because I always played in Brazil. And in Brazil we know: Brazilians have this gift, they do things with joy and boldness. In Europe it’s not like that, it’s cooler football, where you always have to be more careful. I’m sure I improved a lot defensively compared to what I did in Brazil. Europe helped me a lot, the margin for error is very small, it helped my development as a professional.”

On his relationship with the Greeks: “I got there with a smile on my face, Europeans are actually more chilled people but Greeks have energy similar to Brazilians. We only live in this world once, we can’t be sad all the time.

So when we manage to make someone smile, it’s rewarding. And there in Greece, the club had never won a European trophy for 100 years. So to be able to help them achieve this unprecedented feat, with my energy on a daily basis, with the ability to lighten the atmosphere, was something special. So I’m very happy that even in Greece I managed to bring them to my feet”.

For Araos: “We know that Olympiacos and Panathinaikos is the biggest derby in Greece, it is very similar to Flamengo – Fluminense. Regardless of the rivalry though, we are friends. I have known Arao since 2012.

We have a beautiful friendship, the nannies meet for the kids to hang out, we meet sometimes. The rivalry exists on the field, but we have a very beautiful friendship off the field. I think Arao had more wins than losses with us this year, but the important thing is that in the last game, when we needed it, our team drew at home to Panathinaikos and we finished the league above them. In the most important game, we gave a message.”

For Olympiakos fans: “I left Flamengo, who have 42-45 million fans, we lost count a long time ago. So when I arrived in Greece, I expected it would be a shock to leave the biggest audience in Brazil. But man, from the first game it was crazy, they were singing until the end. There is one thing in Brazil that is no longer allowed, putting lasers in the faces of opponents.

Or they throw a smoke detector on the pitch and the referee says: ‘play on’. One day a guy took a lighter, I went to do a lateral and threw it at my head. In the Brazilian way, I said, I’ll take the lighter and show it to the referee. But the Greeks told me: ‘No, Rody, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go’! So the atmosphere there is hostile, but it’s very nice to play with that atmosphere of the fans on the road before the games.”

For the love of Olympiakos fans: “It’s surreal because I’ve only been at the club for a short time so it shows how much love the fans have for me. And the president’s son by putting a picture of me on his Instagram profile showed that he appreciates me, that I am adapted to the club and that people like me. I receive this affection in a very satisfying way. It’s hard to achieve and I feel very honored to have achieved it so soon.”

On his future at Olympiakos: “This season we were champions in the Conference, we managed to get straight into the group stage of the Europa League, which helps the club a lot to plan, to have more time to prepare and more holiday time.

So far we have nothing, nor has anything been heard from Olympiakos. I have to keep working day in and day out, take care of my body, take care of myself mentally so I can always do my best on the pitch. And then we’ll see how things go from next year when my contract is up.”

On his years at Flamengo: “Yes, I feel that way, whether I like it or not. A leader can be a different personality, there is not only the leader who is serious, but also the one who is happy. But I’m not just kidding, there are times when you have to talk seriously, like I do with my family, my wife, my friends. We’re talking about jobs.

Especially now in the team I’m in, when new guys come in, I talk to them and give them advice. Because of my experience and the titles I have won, today I enjoy the respect of the team. So I feel like a leader, because I can give advice to younger people, or even to peers and older people, because I believe that in life, we all learn from each other and this is a good exchange.”