Midfielder Paquetá did not hide his joy at returning to the Brazilian National Team. After an excellent season at West Ham, the 26-year-old player now wants to help Brazil in the Copa América. Since Thursday (30th), the players have been preparing in the United States for the continental competition, which will open on the 20th.
“My mindset today is that I’m very happy. I really wanted to play this Copa América and be champion again,” said the midfielder during his first press conference with the National Team in the United States. He was part of the victorious campaign of the Yellow and Green in the last title of the tournament, in 2019. On that occasion, the Copa América was played in Brazil.
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The West Ham midfielder has been with the Brazilian National Team since 2018. He was first called up right after the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Since then, the 26-year-old from Rio de Janeiro has been one of the most frequent in the Yellow and Green, with 54 call-ups, 44 games and ten goals.
“I’m very happy with this moment that I’ve always sought with the National Team. Six years ago, I arrived as a young player willing to learn. Of course I’m still willing to learn, but today I have a much greater responsibility. It’s been six years, a World Cup cycle, a Copa América, two Copa Américas… I understand and know my importance and relevance here,” said the player, who was revealed by Flamengo and played for Lyon and Milan before moving to West Ham.
Before the Brazilian National Team’s debut in the Copa América, Dorival Júnior’s team will play two friendlies. The team will face Mexico on the 8th in College Station, Texas. On the 12th, the opponent will be the United States, in Orlando. Brazil will make their Copa América debut against Costa Rica on the 24th in Los Angeles.
Appreciation
In the opening of the interview, Paquetá made a point of publicly thanking CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues for maintaining his call-up for the Copa América.
“I just wanted to first publicly thank President Ednaldo for the effort he made to look into the facts of everything that has happened to me and for keeping me in the call-up. I also thank Rodrigo Caetano (General Executive Coordinator of the Men’s National Teams), Dorival Júnior and the fans who supported my call-up,” the player added.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
