Brazil legend Aldair reminisces on World Cup triumph, Roma bond

Brazil is a nation famed for its unflinching production of supremely-gifted, attacking-minded footballers. The likes of Pele, Jarzinho, Zico, Socrates, Kaka, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho have carved their own niche in the history of world football as luminaries whose technical brilliance thrilled millions of fans worldwide.

Aldair Nascimento dos Santos is another famous player to emerge from the land of Samba but unlike most of his illustrious compatriots, he made a name for himself not by scoring spectacular goals but by keeping opposing forwards at bay.

Aldair reached the zenith of his career when he helped Brazil win the 1994 World Cup but, perhaps, his most significant achievement is to be found in his enduring status as one of the strongest defenders to have graced Italian football during his long spell with Roma.

For a Brazilian to earn recognition for defensive attributes in what was then regarded as the best and toughest league in the world was no mean feat but Aldair, 42, achieved that to the extent that after his departure, Roma retired the no.6 jersey.

Aldair played 93 times for Brazil in an international career spanning more than 11 years. He was in Malta recently to watch the World Cup qualifier between Malta and Portugal on the invitation of Kevin Deguara, the former president of Premier League club Msida SJ.

After a brilliant career, what are you doing nowadays?

After I stopped playing, I took a break. I spent a lot of time in Brazil in the last four years but I continued to live in Italy. Lately, we have initiated a new project with a group of people who are really willing to work.

We have set up an agency called World Champion but we are still taking our first steps.

Most ex-players become coaches but you haven't followed this path so far.

At this moment, I'd rather not go into coaching. Roma offered me the chance to train youngsters but I'm not really keen on coaching for the time being.

Let's say that I'm more confident about my work with World Champion, I believe I can contribute better by identifying interesting youngsters in South America and help them come to Europe.

You were regarded as a symbol of Roma. How did this strong bond develop?

Apart from my first year, when I encountered a few problems to settle down, I felt really at home with Roma after season 1990-91. I stayed there for 13 years and this enabled me to build a special relationship with the fans. They were the only reason I stayed in my final year at the club.

I could have gone elsewhere but I decided to spend another season with Roma because I felt I owed it to the supporters.

What did you make of the club's gesture to retire the no.6 shirt after you left?

I must admit they took me by surprise but I was very happy about it. That said, I think that more important than the shirt is what I achieved during my time with Roma.

Winning the 1994 World Cup with Brazil must rank as one of the most special moments in your career. What are your memories of that tournament in the US?

Being at the World Cup and winning it for Brazil for the first time in 24 years was a wonderful experience. Before the World Cup, people back home were sceptical about our chances and we had to endure some criticism but in the end, we took the cup to Brazil.

The excitement increased with every game we played and our form improved as well.

In the final (vs Italy), especially in the penalty shoot-out, we were lucky but we were delighted that all had ended well for us.

Luck played a part in our success but credit to Taffarel (the Brazil keeper). He saved two penalties.

What was your happiest moment at club level?

I will never forget my early years with Flamengo in Brazil.

Soon after I got into the first squad (in 1986), we won the national championship. In 1988, I received my first call-up to the national squad.

Those early achievements gave me immense satisfaction.

After that, I went to Benfica (Portugal) where I spent one season. I had the pleasure of playing in a European Cup final against Milan. We lost 1-0 but we managed to reach the final, so it was a good year for Benfica.

Unfortunately, I won very little in all those years I spent with Roma but I was happy just the same.

And the lowest point?

I went through some hard times. I suffered a knee cruciate injury a year before the 1994 World Cup. Looking back, I think that was the most difficult moment in my whole career.

Lately, Brazil have had some bad results and their performances have attracted a lot of criticism. What are the reasons behind the recent struggles?

Two of my former Brazil team-mates, Jorginho and Dunga, are in charge of the team now.

We were all confident that they would do a good job. At this moment, the team is passing through a lean spell. I think Dunga's style of management is perhaps not going down well with the fans and the press. They want the country's most important and established players to be in the squad but he (Dunga) has been selecting players who don't have as big a reputation as others.

That is perhaps undermining Dunga's popularity at this moment.

Brazil are in a mini-crisis but I'm convinced that if we win the next few World Cup qualifiers, things will improve. Dunga has got a strong character and the right mentality, I think he can turn things around but it's not easy for him to get on with his job with all those people against him.

In the last few seasons, you played some games for SS Murata of San Marino. What prompted you to take up this challenge?

I got the invitation to join SS Murata from Massimo Agostini.

I played for them in the Champions League qualifying round matches (in 2007). In the last few years, Agostini has called me several times to join him at Murata. I have been reluctant to go but he pleaded with me to do so, saying it was important for the young players in the team.

This year, I didn't really feel at ease because I had done little training in the summer but I still went to SS Murata.

I did it as a favour to an old friend, that's just about it.

Mind you, this desire to play never leaves you, even now that I'm almost 43 years old. But even there, the rhythm is different. The players are young and quick, it's not easy for me to keep up with the pace but I can still play the odd match but not more.

Nevertheless, I think I've played my last match for SS Murata, I'm not thinking about returning.

So, can we say that Aldair has now officially hung up his boots?

Nigh, I stopped playing earlier.

I never take the last matches (for SS Murata) into consideration because I only played for fun.

Who is the best defender in the world at present?

Worldwide, I can't really pick one name. I like John Terry, of Chelsea, he is very good but I can't think of one who really stands out as the best.

I think that, in the last few years, the standard of defending has dropped. Fabio Cannavaro is another top defender and Walter Samuel is also very strong. I enjoyed playing alongside Samuel at Roma.

Of the defenders who have donned the Roma shirt in the last five seasons, who do you consider as your heir?

At Roma, and even with the Brazilian national team, I see of lot of me in Juan. His playing style is very similar to mine.

Who is the best player in the world at present?

It's hard to tell. Let's say Lionel Messi is a notch above the other top players.

This is your first visit to Malta. How did it come about?

Luciano Giudo (a football agent) has known Kevin Deguara for a long time. They came to see me in Roma and invited me to come here to see the match between Malta and Portugal.

Your impressions of the islands?

The islands... the first impression is good. I like the climate.

I had no idea what to expect because I knew nothing about the country but I've enjoyed my time here.

Kevin Azzopardi met the softly-spoken Brazil legend at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.