© lff.lt
„Iron Man“ (Iron Man - Eng.) was one of the main heroes in the 2019 movie „Avengers: Endgame“ („Avengers: Endgame“ - Eng.). The culminating episode of the film series based on comic book heroes broke all the world's movie theater records and became the most watched in history. Now, „Iron Man“ is one of the heroes in the 2021 epic. This time, the role is not played by Robert Downey Jr., but by Douglas Junior; the drama and intrigue are not directed at the “Pinewood Atlanta“ movie studio, but are created in the arenas of the players themselves Lithuania; the prize - not money from movie theater cash registers, but the trophys of the FIFA World Futsal Championship. Douglas Junior is one of the standout players in the ongoing FIFA World Futsal Championship in Lithuania. The Brazilian of the Kazakhstan team shared his thoughts with FIFA.com about the upcoming quarterfinal against Iran, the potential final against his home country team, the top candidates to become the best player of the tournament, the relationship with Captain Ame.... Kazakhstan Leo Higuita and more. - You won the quarterfinal match 7:0 and reached the quarterfinals for the first time. You must be very happy? - We are definitely very happy. Each match in the knockout stage is very, very difficult. We saw Japan seriously challenging Brazilians, as well as Vietnam playing against RFU. We played twice against Thailand and won, but the World Cup was different. Our goal was just to win, but winning 7:0 was amazing for us. We made it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Colombia, and the goal for the tournament in Lithuania was to surpass that. We achieved that goal, now we will set a new one. - What do you think about the opponent - the Iran team? - Iran has been showing for a long time that it is one of the best national teams in the world. They are a really tough team, they have amazing players. Also, they have been playing together for a long time. We played against them several times and, unfortunately, we couldn't win. We know it will be very difficult. - Can Kazakhstan win the championship in Lithuania? - This is a dream, it would be one of the biggest surprises in futsal history. But we have shown great results, we reached the finals of the European Championship, so we know our chances. It would be a great surprise for the futsal world, but not for us. It would be great to do it for the Kazakhs, as they are amazing. - What can you tell us about their passion for futsal? - Futsal has grown so much in Kazakhstan that you wouldn't believe it. When "Kairat" plays at home, the arena is always full - 13, 15 thousand spectators. Kazakhs probably are more passionate about futsal than football. The Kazakh fans who came here were also fantastic, we hear their voices and it motivates us a lot. Their noise - is really great. - Who do you think are the main candidates to win the best player award - the Golden Ball? - Pito. He has everything - he can dribble, defend, score goals, his game quality is truly incredible. Also, Leo Higuita is playing amazingly in this championship, he is practically perfect. There is also Ferrao, who already has 7 goals to his name. I think this trio are the main contenders. - Higuita told us that the best player in the world is you... - Higuita really pushes me forward, together we have come so far, through good and bad. Higuita is like a brother to me, whom I will know for the rest of my life. I am grateful for his words, I am very satisfied with my level of play, but I would like to leave these discussions to the media. I think the best player in the world can be Ferrao, who won the award in the last two years, as well as Pito and Higuita. I don't think I am among them. I think at the moment Pito is the best. I'm just a simple player who gives everything for the team. - How do you defend against Ferrao? - I've played against him several times. A couple of times we succeeded, we won, but the last time in the Champions League semifinals we lost to the opponents. He is very strong physically. But I like playing against such forwards as Ferrao - I stand up to the challenge, he stands up to the challenge. I think that when playing against players of this level and this type, I show my best. - What do you think of Higuita? - He is fantastic. A professional, an example. I've been with him for eight years. You won't find a harder working person. He thinks that you won't achieve anything without hard work. For me, without a doubt, he is the best goalkeeper in history. - What do you think about your nickname - „Iron Man“? - (laughs - author's note) Higuita started calling me „Iron Man“ and it stuck. All my friends in Brazil and around the world started calling me that. I think it's cute, I like it. When I come home, everyone tells me: „Iron Man“ did this, did that“. - What do people from your hometown of Guamare root for in the Kazakhstan-Brazil duel? - I say this with confidence: my city of Guamare would root for Kazakhstan. I have no doubt (laughs - author's note). Everyone sends me messages saying that in the final Kazakhstan and Brazil will play. Everyone says that. If this were to happen, Guamare's day would become part of Kazakhstan. - Are you thinking specifically about the showdown with Brazil in the final? - That would be my dream. To play against the Brazil national team in the World Cup final... Wow. That would be the most memorable moment in my career, it's the dream of all Kazakhs. Everyone knows the importance of Brazil in this sport, especially me. Of course, I am fully focused on our quarterfinal, but I cannot hide the fact that the final between Kazakhstan and Brazil is my dream.
