Lazio winger Felipe Anderson looked back at his career, his first spell in Rome and his growth over the years.
Speaking in an interview with Italian magazine Lazio Style Magazine (via LazioNews24) earlier today, the 28-year-old Brazilian winger first spoke about his name and explained how it works to avoid any confusion.
I say Felipe. My first name is Felipe Anderson and my surname is Pereira Gomes.
In Brazil we have a double first name, unlike in Europe where you only have a first and last name.
He spoke about his family background and what his parents did to support him.
My father was a garbage man, while my mother took care of our house and other people’s houses. I had a happy childhood, I never lacked for anything despite the economic difficulties.
We had fun, we were five children and my father worked a lot to support the family. My mother writes to me as soon as she wakes up.
I left home when I was 13 and she still has that image in her head. She didn’t want to let me go, so we talk every day.
The former West Ham man touched on the moment that he realised he had ‘made it’.
When, after the years at Santos, I arrived in Europe at Lazio.
At that moment I realised I had worked well, with the aim of being a great footballer.
Felipe Anderson spoke about his first day at Lazio.
I was very young for a new experience outside Brazil but at the same time happy, because I had wanted to try it for a long time.
I had been talking to Lazio for months, I was excited. And seeing that – before coming back – I stayed five years, I’d say it was worth it.
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He discussed some football shirts that he has collected over the years from fellow professionals.
I have a lot of beautiful shirts, especially from my friends. The most special one is Klose’s. I also have Neymar’s, Rafael’s and Strakosha’s.
I swapped them with Thomas last year when I was still at West Ham.
The 28-year-old Brazilian winger commented on his favourite performance for the Biancocelesti.
Lazio-Sampdoria, January 2015.
That match was perfect, I still watch it every now and then as an inspiration, to try and maintain that rhythm, that serenity I had when I carried the ball and chose what to do.
Felipe Anderson touched on his love for Rome.
I fell in love with people. We Brazilians always want to be together, especially at weekends.
I made my first friendships outside Brazil in Rome, where I met people similar to us, with the same desire to keep the friendship alive.
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He discussed which of his Lazio teammates have grown the most in his time away from the Italian capital.
Luiz Felipe and Milinkovic-Savic the ones who have grown the most.
Sergej already in 2018 was doing phenomenal things, I have seen in these years his constant growth, he has done great things and now he often wears the captain’s armband too.
The Brazilian winger commented on his growth over the last three years, playing for West Ham and Porto.
In these last three years I have grown a lot, in every aspect. Even though I haven’t played much, I’ve been able to see everything that wasn’t going well.
I feel stronger, both physically and mentally, I’ve learned from the difficulties and I’ve grown as a person.
If you feel good about yourself, you also feel good on the pitch, it’s all a consequence. I feel ready because this is the best phase of my life.
The 28-year-old discussed his role as a winger and the importance of intelligence on the pitch.
Every day football evolves and becomes more physical, with technology playing an important role.
More than the role, you have to be intelligent and be aware of your own means, the head is definitely more important than the body.
Finally, Felipe Anderson spoke about his return to the Biancocelesti and his happiness at having returned.
It’s always nice to think back to all the steps I’ve taken to get there. Even this summer, before my return to Lazio, I thought a lot about this new project.
I find a team that played in the last Champions League and that starts with important ambitions in the league. It’s great to be here.
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