In this months Football Italia magazine, thought I would post it, I'm nice like that.
Felipe Melo arrived in Italy in 2008 as something of an unknown quantity. But having attracted the attention of Fiorentina's famed talent-spotter Pantaleo Corvino, the tough-tackling midfielder quickly became a revelation in Serie A. Now, just a year later, he meets us at the Principe di Piemonte Hotel in Turin, as a Juventus player and a fully fledged Brazilian international.
Sporting a red shirt, a cap and shorts, the South American is relaxed but also tired. He still hasn't had a proper holiday, what with the Confederations Cup and everything else. Furthermore, he took part in almost all of his new club's summer friendlies and then had World Cup qualifier commitments to contend with too.
Nevertheless, the powerhouse is ready to begin his most important adventure to date. And at 26 years of age, he is ready. Indeed, he has arrived at the right place at the right time. We introduce you to Felipe Melo, the man Arsenal wanted in the summer but now the man who runs the Old Lady's midfield.
Is Juventus a point of departure or arrival?It's evidently a point of departure. I'm starting a new life and I've got everything to gain. It's exciting.
Are you ready?Yes, but I must get over this fatigue. I haven't had a break since the end of last season. I went to play in the World Cup qualifiers and when I was on holiday I didn't relax at all because I was always on the phone trying to find out about my future. The Confederations Cup followed and then my arrival in Turin. Luckily I was suspended for the first game of the season, so Coach Ciro Ferrara gave me three days off to escape with my family.
When you began playing football did you imagine a day such as this, being a first choice for Juventus and the Brazilian national team?I dreamt it, but did I imagine it? No! Nevertheless, the teams most followed in Brazil were Milan, Juventus, Liverpool and Manchester United, so I already had some interest and a liking for the Bianconeri.
Did you have an idol when you were playing?Yes, Zico. I also got to know him personally.
What was your first team?It doesn't exist any more, it was the team of my home town, Volta Redonda, near Rio de Janeiro. I've stayed in touch with my first Coach, Nelson Aguilar, though.
Is it true that you started out as a striker?Yes, to make a comparison I was a forward a bit like Diego Milito. Playing as a striker happened a bit by chance. I was in the youth team at Flamengo and I played in the Zico Cup, scoring 10 goals in 13 matches. I finished as top scorer.
You then made your debut for the Flamengo first team where, like your Serie A bow for Juventus, you celebrated with a goal.In fact, it was a decisive goal in a decisive game. Had we lost we would have been relegated to Serie B and for a club like Flamengo, that situation would have been unbearable. The tension was high, very high. I remember some fans entering the hotel and the climate was heavy. I didn't think I would play, but I came on. With the score at 0-0, a cross from Petkovic, a dummy from Juan and my header - a goal and victory.
Usually in Brazil, as soon as a player shows some talent, a row of scouts, real or alleged, present themselves in front of his house.It happened to me too! One arrived and told me that Girondins de Bordeaux wanted me. But nothing happened.
You then went to Cruzeiro, a big team with Gomes in goal, then Maicon, Alex, Luisao, Deivid and Wanderlei Luxemburgo on the bench.Luxemburgo was the best Coach I had in Brazil, a born winner, one that worked like crazy, explaining everything and then backed up by staff of immense worth. For these reasons he wins wherever he goes.
Was Douglas Maicon as good back then as he is now for Inter?He was the reserve to Maurinho, a player who went on to the national side, but then he had injury problems.
From Cruzeiro you moved on to Gremio.Of that period in my life, I only save the meeting with my future wife. I met her there, at Porto Alegre.
Then you arrived in Europe, at Real Mallorca. Why did you go there?Benfica and Porto wanted me, or so they more or less said, but only Mallorca really believed in me. It was still a fantastic move, I remember when we played against Real Madrid, there was everyone - Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Roberto Carlos. I scored against them in a 2-1 win. How satisfying that was!
You were there for a year and then you signed for Racing Santander...They were two difficult seasons at Racing. They made me play as a left back and as a striker; they said that I was not cut out to be a central midfielder. But I didn't agree. I realised I was to become a player of strength, of quality.
You left Racing and moved to Almeria...To think that I had considered the move a step backwards! Almeria had just been promoted to the First Division, but then I realised that I had made the right choice. It was a fantastic year with Unai Emery as Coach and Alvaro Negredo up front.
When did Fiorentina contact you?I signed with them five months before the end of the season. I didn't want to take any risks in case they changed their minds so I didn't think twice about it.
What mark would you give yourself for your season in the Viola shirt?Eight out of 10.
Do you remember your debut?It was against Slavia Prague in the preliminaries of the Champions League. After four minutes Adrian Mutu scored from a free-kick.
What was your best experience with Fiorentina?Our return from Lecce with fourth place and Champions League qualification confirmed. The place was full of supporters.
And the worst?Obviously that would be my suspension after the incident against Cagliari.
Everyone speaks highly of Viola boss Cesare Prandelli...He's too intelligent, really! I've never seen a Coach like him. He instantly understands exactly what he needs to do, the necessities of the team. He's truly incredible.
During your time at Fiorentina you were called up to the national side. How did you find out? Did Carlos Dunga call you?No, I was at home with my family in Florence. We went on the Brazilian Football Federation's website, where we saw my name and we started to shout like mad!
How was your first day with the national side?I already knew some of the players before I arrived, so that helped. As a tradition, the new arrival must give a speech and others have a laugh. It's a sort of baptism. I was so happy.
What do you think of the rule that obliges a footballer to present himself to the national side?It's a mistake. If one comes unwilling they might as well stay at home.
What are your best qualities?Physical strength, coming out with the ball at my feet and heading.
Where should you improve?I need to play the ball more quickly, to play with fewer touches.
Who are the best players in your role?Michael Essien of Chelsea and Barcelona's Yaya Toure.
What's Ciro Ferrara like?He's like Prandelli, he always looks you in the eyes when he speaks to you.
What do you imagine your new adventure will be like?I am 26 years old, I am ready to win. If I'm not ready at this age, I will never be! I have arrived at a huge club that hasn't won for a long time.
Before a match you raise your hands to the sky and pray. Could you tell us what you pray for?I pray for my teammates, that they play well, and I also pray for my opponents, so that no-one on the pitch gets hurt, that no-one gets injured during the match.
Is the story true about you doing martial arts? Is is true that you are an expert in Jiu-Jitsu?Yes, yes, it's true. I can do martial arts, although I don't practise it now. I often did it when I was a young boy. I was very tense, very full of energy. I worked it out through the exercise. With the help of martial arts I learned to control myself and, above all, to unload my tension by doing Jiu-Jitsu.
Where have you left your three dogs?In a kennel in Florence. But as soon as I have sorted myself out at my new house I'll go down there and pick them up - I can't wait!
When you're at home do you watch matches on the TV? La Liga, the Premiership, the Bundesliga?I watch everything, literally everything. I am fortunate to have such an extraordinary wife - she knows it's for my job. However, twice a week we go out together, just me and her.
We haven't asked you yet if you believe Juventus will win the Scudetto, because Inter seem too strong at the moment...At Juve, I have met people who are foaming at the mouth to win. After three years without titles, they are ready to do everything they can to bring home a trophy. Indeed, we want two trophies, because we truly believe we can win the Champions League as well as the Italian title.
Fair play to him though.
