Arthur Melo, a Brazilian born in 1996, is approaching the form that once made him a prized acquisition for Barcelona back in 2018. After departing Barcelona, he faced challenges at Juventus and Liverpool. However, finding a new home with Fiorentina has brought him tranquility.
At 27, he claims to be in the best shape of his life. Arthur has grown both personally and professionally, openly acknowledging his need for psychological support during tough times. Now, he’s physically prepared for fresh challenges, including the dream of rejoining the Brazilian national team. He discusses his journey with Diario AS, touching on Ancelotti, Neymar, Endrick, Vitor Roque, Barcelona, Gremio, and expresses gratitude to his Fiorentina coach, Vincenzo Italiano.
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When asked why he chose Fiorentina, Arthur credits a conversation with the coach for his decision. In his words,
“The truth is, it was after talking to the coach. At that moment I realized that I would have to come here, to Fiorentina. The conversation I had with him, what he told me. I had already seen Fiorentina’s games last season, how they played…I made a good choice”
Arthur acknowledges the evolving nature of football, emphasizing the importance of blending physical prowess with innate creativity on the field. He sees Fiorentina as an ideal place to achieve regularity and is eager to adapt to their style of play.
Arthur Melo as a youth player
Reflecting on his past, Arthur admits to a lack of experience in his youth. He explains this further:
“There are many things that when you are young you don’t see. You don’t have as much experience on the field: how to finish a play, throw longer… that comes from playing games. I was fortunate to play in great teams and learned from the very good players I had as teammates and coaches. You’re not going to start playing at 20 years old and know everything”
This means he believes that adapting quickly to European football is crucial and encourages humility in accepting constructive criticism.
Regarding young talents like Vitor Roque and Endrick, Arthur advises them to enjoy their journey while staying focused on their goals. He recognizes the dream shared by many Brazilian players to play in Europe’s top teams.
Arthur fondly recalls his brief stint at Liverpool, praising the club’s unity and the influence of coach Klopp. He has only positive words for Klopp’s coaching abilities and character.
Pressure at Fiorentina?
Despite reaching two finals, Arthur believes there’s no pressure but a desire to achieve more at Fiorentina. He notes the team’s growth, the passionate fan base, and their ambition to win titles and compete in the Champions League. He then expresses admiration for Argentine Lucas Beltrán’s contributions to Fiorentina, highlighting his quality and versatility.
Arthur’s ultimate goal is to return to the Brazilian national team. He understands that his Fiorentina performance will be crucial for achieving this dream, especially with the 2024 Copa América on his horizon.
