Focusing on football with…Gustavo Kuerten - 網球 Tennis

Friday, June 4, 2010
By Eric Frosio

Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten, a three-time winner of the French Open, is also an
avid football fan. The favourite of the French crowd is back in Paris and
took time out to answer our questions on the beautiful game.

Guga今年依然到了巴黎，由於是世界盃年，回答了一些關於巴西足球的問題。

What's your earliest memory of the sport?
It was a match I saw as a fan, the Club World Cup final in Tokyo between
Flamengo and Liverpool (3-0, in 1981).

Which is your favourite club?
Avaï, the club in Florianopolis, my home town (in the state of
Santa-Catarina).

Who was your childhood hero?
Zico, who played number 10 for Flamengo and Brazil. But also Jacaré, Avaï's
attacker who went on to play for Boavista in Portugal.

What's your favourite stadium?
The Maracaña, in Rio de Janeiro.

Who do you think will be the biggest surprise at the World Cup?
Ooh, tough question. Maybe South Africa, because they're trained by
Carlos-Alberto Parreira who's a great coach.

Who are you picking to win the World Cup?
Brazil of course!

Who would you pay good money to see?
Lucio! He's not particularly talented but I like the sheer strength he has
when he plays.

How much would you pay for your favourite player's shirt?
A whole lot of money.

Where do you find the best fans?
At Flamengo or Corinthians in Brazil.

If you could play 90 minutes with any team, which would it be and what
position?
In the Brazilian team! I'd play defensive or central midfield, a bit like
the French player Vieira. I'd hang back and pass the ball to the attackers.
Can I have Zico and Pelé on my team? If I played with them, we'd definitely
get a few goals (laughs).

What's the first thing you would do if you became Avaï's president?
I'd sort out a deal with Paulo-Henrique Ganso (a midfielder from Santos). He's
going to be huge!

Who's your favourite manager?
Luiz Felipe Scolari. And also Dunga. He deserves a lot of respect – when he
first took the Brazil job one, no-one thought he could do it.

What's the best goal you've ever seen?
Branco's free kick in the 1994 World Cup quarter-final against The
Netherlands (3-2). I remember jumping around the house for hours and hours, I
was so happy.

--