© EuroFootball.com
28-year-old Brazilian Armando Tarlázis Vieira Dos Santos arrived at "Banga" at the beginning of this year. However, this footballer is not a newcomer in Lithuanian football. Since 2007, he has represented "Šiauliai", "LKKA and Teledemai", and "Klaipėda".
Your full name is Armando Tarlázis Vieira Dos Santos, but your teammates call you Mandinho. What does your nickname mean?
Since childhood, my relatives have called me that way. In Brazil, little Armando is called that way. In Lithuanian, it would sound like Armandukas.
Brazil is a football country. Probably every boy in the country dreams of becoming a football player. How did your football career start?
My first steps as a footballer were taken at the football academy founded by R. Rivellino and at the A.D. Guarulhos football club, where I played several seasons in the state championships. In 2002, I signed my first professional contract with one of Brazil's most famous clubs, "Palmeiras".
Did you have a favorite footballer?
When I was six, I dreamed of being the best of all. As a teenager, I mostly admired D. Maradona. Later, my favorites became R. Baggio and Ronaldo. My first coach, R. Rivellino, is a legend of Brazilian football, the 1970 World Cup champion. In childhood, I did not realize what kind of personality he was and did not appreciate his importance. Today, proudly, I can say that I was coached by R. Rivellino.
Did you have the opportunity to play with the most famous Brazilian footballers?
Together with Vagner Love, we played in the "Palmeiros" B team for several seasons. Even at that time, this striker would score about 40 goals per season.
In the Brazilian football market, there is a lot of competition, so many Brazilian players move to Europe. How did your path lead to the Old Continent?
Even before reaching the age of majority, one acquaintance persistently persuaded me to go to Europe, but at that time, I only saw my future in Brazil. I wanted to finish school, get an education. At the age of 21, I went to Denmark. I played in the highest league for the "Brondby" and in the first league for "Hvidovre". In 2007, I moved to Lithuania.
You played in both Brazilian and European national championships. Can you compare them?
In Brazil, until May, all clubs play in state championships and later in national championships. State championships are traditional and very popular, but more common in the southern part of the country. In the São Paulo state championship, the five strongest clubs of the state compete: "Sao Paulo", "Corinthians", "Palmeiras", "Santos" and "Portuguesa". State championships consist of four levels. National championships, with 20 teams participating, start in May. The Brazilian championship is characterized by very strong competition; only the "Sao Paulo" club managed to win the national championship three times in a row (2006-2008).
Which São Paulo city club has the most fans?
From ancient times, the "Corinthians" club is passionately supported by ordinary São Paulo workers, so I believe that this club can boast of the largest fan base. The "Palmeiras" and "Portuguesa" clubs were founded respectively by immigrants from Italy and Portugal, so they are supported by residents of these nationalities. "Santos" is a club from the outskirts of São Paulo, so it attracts its audience from the nearby towns around São Paulo. "Sao Paulo" is a club of wealthy, so-called "elite" people.
Can you compare the atmosphere in Brazilian and Lithuanian stadiums?
Brazilians passionately support their favorite teams, feeling a great love for this sport. Every father dreams that his son will become a professional player. Very often, children feel pressure from parents regarding their choice of profession. The love for football is somewhat exaggerated. I cannot help but notice the love of football among the residents of Gargždai city: thousands of fans gather in stadiums, and a bunch of loyal fans support the team at away games. Isn't that amazing? After the last match against Dainava, the fans greeted us in Gargždai and thanked us for the effort. I doubt whether I would receive such appreciation in Brazil after such matches. In Brazil, after poorly played matches, without protection, you cannot even appear in the streets, as you risk being beaten or cursed.
Brazilians are known for their attacking, eye-catching football and goals. Do you keep track of the goals you have scored?
I do not count the goals I have scored not because I have scored a lot of them, but because I do not emphasize them.
What is your most memorable goal?
My most important life goal is still ahead of me. I hope to score it wearing an orange-blue outfit.
You have spent a lot of time in Lithuania. Do you see your future in this country?
I enjoy every day of life. I do not try to look far into the future because often, as in the famous saying: "man plans, and God laughs." At the moment, my future is preparing for the upcoming matches.
"Banga" played two A League matches. Is the team well-prepared? What can we expect from them?
We played really good matches against "Žalgiris", did not respect the opponent's authority, and did not blindly attack. We played football and enjoyed our game. After those matches, everyone expected us to win against "Dainava". But in football, each match is a separate story. You cannot "put" three points in your pocket in advance. Step by step, we can achieve good results, no need to demand quick results. I believe in our coach and the team he has assembled.
Would you dare predict what place "Banga" will take in the 2012 championship?
I would not dare to predict because I have not seen the strength of all teams. In football, the situation can change drastically in a second, even turn upside down in eight months. At the moment, I am only thinking about the upcoming matches against REO.
