PANJIM: André Clarindo dos Santos is well known as a versatile left-back but has been playing as an attacking midfielder for FC Goa in ISL. The fact is he started his footballing life in the midfield before making the left-back position all his own in a long and eventful journey.
Santos began his tryst with the beautiful game at a very young age. “My very first gift in life was a football. My father handed me a football almost as soon as I was born. Football is big in Brazil and naturally I was drawn to it. I never liked cars or other toys. It was always football,” he told indiansuperleague.com in an exclusive and candid conversation.
The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup winner grew up at a time when the Brazilian team dominated world football and he is in awe of the players of that era. “There have been so many good players from my country. My coach Zico is one of them. He was the best player in his position. Then there was Il Fenomeno (the phenomenon) Ronaldo, and Rivaldo,” he noted. “However, in my original position, left-back, I have to say Roberto Carlos. He was one of the best players to play in that position. My focus while growing up was on him. He had excellent technique and his quality was immense.”
Santos is effusive in his praise for his new coach. “Zico is a very important figure in this team. About my shift in position, you know, it’s very normal in Brazil to start playing football in the midfield and then shift position. In fact, when I first started playing, I began in the midfield. I moved to left-back eventually because there aren’t too many left-backs in the world. It worked out well in the end,” he said.
Santos also said he’s privileged to play alongside Arsenal legend Robert Pirès. Among his new Indian teammates, Santos singled out Mandar Rao Desai, Gabriel Fernandes, Narayan Das and Romeo Fernandes for special mention. “These guys are very good players. I was very impressed with their game. They are quality players and they work very hard. With the help of players like Pirès, Grégory (Arnolin) and me, and the experience they are receiving now through the ISL, which I think is a fantastically organised tournament, these guys can flourish and do really well,” he opined.
