Alessandro Rosa Vieira, known as Falcao, born in Santa Cruz de Rio Pardo, Brazil, in 1977, is a renowned futsal player. Whether he was leading Brazil to World Cup victories or winning titles as the world’s best player, Falcao has always been at the forefront of the sport. Now, he serves as the ambassador for the Intercontinental Cup, where Illes Balears Palma Futsal and his former team, Magnus, will compete on Saturday.
Falcao highlights the importance of the rivalry between Spanish and Brazilian teams, noting how it energizes the sport. He sees the upcoming match as balanced but gives Palma a slight edge for playing at home. Magnus, meanwhile, has added motivation to prove themselves, especially after their playoff elimination due to an improper lineup.
He stresses the value of competitions like the Intercontinental Cup for futsal, predicting that more teams will participate in the future. According to Falcao, the sport benefits from these high-stakes games, particularly with historic rivalries like Brazil vs. Spain, both at the club and national level.
Reflecting on Brazil’s recent World Cup win, Falcao is thrilled but acknowledges the event’s different atmosphere this time around. He expresses sadness over Spain, Italy, and Russia not reaching their usual standards, especially as he feels Spain will need some strategic changes to return to the top.
When asked about Guitta, his teammate from Brazil’s 2012 squad, Falcao is pleased with his success, noting how Brazil endured tough games, especially against Morocco, Ukraine, and Argentina, to secure the title.
Talent Pool
Falcao also comments on the unending talent pool in Brazil, attributing it to the country’s culture of playing in diverse environments, like streets and beaches. Brazil’s players are distributed globally in leagues across Italy, Spain, and Russia, and he believes this constant flow of talent sets them apart.
Regarding Brazil’s coaching, he calls for more training camps and opportunities for players to represent the national team. He believes Coach Marquinhos Xavier should look to the next generation while retaining a core group of players.
On Spain’s decline, Falcao recalls how they initially strengthened their team by naturalizing Brazilian players, which allowed them to beat Brazil in 2000 and 2004. These victories, he feels, were beneficial for international futsal as they encouraged other teams to aim higher.
