We’ll start with the last game of the season against Manchester United. What kind of game are you expecting?
We hope to finish the season well. We have had an excellent season and now the most important thing is to put in a good performance in our final game. We will work hard and try and get the win.
Do you want revenge as well?
It’s not really about revenge, we just want to show them how good we have been this season. We’re not out for revenge. They’re another top club, but we will give everything to make sure that we end the season on a high.
If you win on Sunday, you’ll surpass Fulham’s record points tally in the Premier League. What would that mean to the Club?
We have even more fire inside of us, we are giving even more importance to this game because we could make history for Fulham. We have it in our minds that we need to get the three points and win so we can go down in the history of the Club.
You are going to finish the season above Chelsea for the first time in the Premier League – did this season prove to be better than you thought it would be at the start of the season?
Yes, of course. The objective was clear at the beginning of the season – we wanted to stay in the Premier League. Then we started winning more and more games, and within the season we had new objectives – we wanted to finish as high as possible in the table. As for Chelsea, and other teams, it doesn’t really matter to us where they are in the table, we are just focused on our position. It’s a very difficult league, it’s the best league in the world and we were a team that had just come up from the Championship. We are really happy with where we have finished this season, and now we can still make history in our final game, which is a very satisfying feeling.
Speaking about Chelsea, we have to talk about the winner that you scored against them – what was that moment like for you?
It was amazing for me. The goal against Chelsea was my first goal for Fulham and, what’s more, we won. There were so many reasons for me to be happy, and I’ll remember it forever because it was my first goal in this shirt and a really important victory for our fans and the history of this Club. I’m so grateful that I played a part in this huge moment.
Was it your best moment of the season?
Yes, I think so, as we’re talking about a goal that will go down in history. It was my special moment I had been waiting for. I’m grateful to God for the opportunity, so grateful that I was able to score against Chelsea at home.
Do you have the ball at home?
Yes, my son loves me bringing them back. That goal will live long in the memory. All my family members from Brazil were over that day, I had more than 15 people in the stadium watching me that day. I feel like that moment was there waiting for me. I’m so grateful to God.
On an individual level, are you happy with your season?
I have had to adapt this season. I know I had one year at Tottenham, but it was very different because of covid, there weren’t any fans at the stadium because of covid. The main attraction to the Premier League is the fans and they weren’t there in the stadiums. So this year has really been about adapting for me. My performances and numbers have been good, they have improved. I know that I will keep growing in my career and in the Premier League, but it was a good season.
Do you feel like you made the most of your opportunity when Aleksandar Mitrović was suspended?
Yes, I think so, and the stats speak for themselves – my goals and assists. My teammates know that I am the type of player that will give everything for them. I am so happy that I was able to step up in Mitro’s absence. We are talking about an amazing goal scorer, and I love having him on the pitch and in the dressing room with us. He has been here a long time and the fans love him. I’m always here to help, with him or without him, and I’m happy I was able to play at my best when I was called upon.
The more minutes you get, the more confidence you have on the pitch, right?
Yes – football players need this, they need continuity and momentum. It’s a shame that Mitro was out, but I got an opportunity to build some momentum as a result. I was able to play at my best. The fans, my teammates and manager have a lot of faith in me – they know that I’m capable of helping the team.
How do you stay motivated when you’re on the bench to make sure you’re always ready to help the team?
One manager once said to me, ‘make sure that, before anything else, you are ready to be a substitute, then you will get a place in the starting XI.’ I really understood this well. You have to accept first that you may be a substitute, then when you are given an opportunity to start you will give everything. At first, you have to give your all for 5/10 minutes and then wait for an opportunity to arrive. Of course, it was unfortunate that I got my opportunity because of Mitro’s suspension, but the opportunity came and I was ready, ready to play at my very best.
Who was the manager?
Bruno Lage, at Benfica. I will always take that bit of advice with me. I arrived at Benfica as their third highest signing, and he said to me, ‘get ready to be a substitute.’ This really had a big impact on me, because I had never heard anyone say it before – to first of all prepare to start on the bench because then you’ll be ready to start. It really stuck with me, I’ll never forget it. You have to be happy to be a substitute, you prepare to be a substitute, and that will make everything easier when you do start.
What’s your relationship like with Marco Silva?
I have a great relationship with Marco Silva. I don’t really speak English, I understand very little, so it helps we speak the same language. He is one of very few people in football who has a big heart and is a really good person. He is fair to everyone, and it is often hard to be fair to 25 people, but he really tries to be. I’m so grateful. In football, when you’re not playing, sometimes you don’t like the manager as a result, but it’s not like this with Marco Silva. Even when I’m not starting, we get on so well because I know he’s a great person. For me, I have it clear – if you want to be a great professional, you have to be a great person, and he is a great man who does everything with a good heart. He’s a friend of mine, too.
To finish, it will be your first pre-season with Fulham, and you’re off to America. Do you think it will be a great experience playing in the big stadiums out there?
Yes, it will. It’s my first pre-season with the Club. When I arrived at the start of this season, they had already played four or five games. It will be really interesting and amazing to play abroad, as we spend so much time here. It’s important for everyone at the Club. It will be brilliant.
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