Brazilian forward Arthur Gomez spoke about his return to the field after a long recovery, the upcoming derby with Spartak and the most stylish Dynamo players.
– Congratulations on your return to the field. How did you manage these 10 and a half months of recovery? What was the most difficult moment during this time?
– The most difficult moment was being away from football, which is what I love most. In the first days after the operation, it was difficult to do even simple things. Of course, there were fears and doubts about whether I would be able to return to my level after the injury. Thank God, now I feel better and better every day.
– In addition to the actual process of recovery from injury, what else did you do?
– I spent the first two months after the operation in Brazil, where I spent a lot of time with family and friends. After all, we don't have much time for this during the season. Moreover, I have a little son, and I was able to constantly watch him grow up. So the most positive thing that happened during this period was the time spent with my family.
– How many percent of your best form do you feel?
– I can say that I am ready to play. Of course, I lack the rhythm of the game. I will continue to train hard, hopefully get more playing time and strive to show my best football. I even had a personal physiotherapist fly in from Brazil to train me at home in the gym that I equipped there. This way I can become one hundred percent ready faster.
– You very actively entered the game against Krylia – you earned a red card for the opponent, were close to an assist. Can you call your first match a success?
– I was looking forward to this moment and thought only about it. The main thing was to maintain a positive attitude. Of course, I was very happy to go on the field. It is clear that I played at the training camp, but official matches are completely different. I'm glad I finally came back and was able to help the team.
– The team gave a very bright match, of which there were not so many in the autumn part of the championship. How did you manage to show such football?
– I think it played a big role that the new coaching staff had a lot of time to prepare us for the resumption of the championship. Roland Alexandrovich knows the team very well, and I think it was a crucial moment. It's hard for me to say what happened in the first half of the season, because I was recovering and was not in the general group. But now we have every chance to show our best football, because Dynamo should perform at a different level and always fight only for first places and trophies.
– You have already completed your second winter training with Dynamo. Tell us about the main differences from last year?
– A year ago we were at the training camp with Marcel Licka, who also had a very good coaching staff, which included Roland Alexandrovich. So there was no very big difference. But I can say that this year we did a very high-quality job, there were a lot of interesting exercises with the ball. Plus, I've already spent more time with the team and felt more comfortable and confident.
– Families have flown to you for training camps in the UAE. Did it help a lot psychologically to cope with hard work?
– It was very important. When there is a family nearby, everything is perceived differently: you are more comfortable, loads are transferred more easily. I love my family, so that was a big plus for me.
– Are you planning to send your son to football when he grows up?
– My son Beni loves football very much. When I come home from training, he always runs up to me and asks me to play with him with the ball. He often says "Dynamo", celebrates our goals. It's hard to predict what will happen in the future, but if he wants to become a football player himself, then I will help him in everything.
– During your absence, the head coach has been replaced twice in the team. Tell us about your interaction with Rolan Gusev.
– We had a very good relationship from the very beginning, when I first arrived at Dynamo. Now we see how he is working very actively and trying to make the team better. His success is the success of the team, so I hope he succeeds.
– At the match with Krylia, Roland Gusev impressed everyone with his fashionable look – a black coat, scarf, jacket. How do you like his new style?
– When he came to the installation, I was very surprised (laughs). But he looked great, this jacket suits him very well. I don't know if he will continue to dress like this, but he has good taste.
– Who is the most stylish in the team?
– Of course it's me! There are other players who dress well, for example, Bitello, Moumi, who doesn't seem to wear the same outfit twice at all. There are also those for whom style is an alien word, but I won't mention surnames (laughs).
– Do you choose your own outfit or does your wife help you?
– My wife and I have a similar taste, she also follows fashion and can give me advice, but in general I decide what to wear.
– In the winter, one newcomer appeared in the team – David Ricardo. How was he received in the team?
– Everyone received him very well. It's great that there are even more Brazilians in the club. Plus, we have a translator Fabio who helps us every day. It is very important that David arrived at the beginning of the training camp and has already managed to get to know the team and adapt. I hope that he will soon be able to help us on the field.
– You already have a real Brazilian gang. Will we see Dynamo carnival football in the spring?
– We will try to show beautiful football and score as many goals as possible. The main thing for us is to help the team and Roland Alexandrovich. We want to enjoy the game and please Dynamo fans with a trophy.
– The cup derby with Spartak is just ahead. For both teams, the Cup is the main goal of the spring part of the season. What kind of football do you expect this Thursday?
– It will be a very good match between two great teams. We understand how important derbies are for fans and how to play them. The most important thing is to stay focused all 90 minutes and be ready to fight for any ball. I really hope that we can win and go further in the tournament.
– You crossed paths with Marquinhos on the field back in Brazil. Are you communicating in Moscow now, too?
– We live in the same apartment complex, spend a lot of time together, we are friends. But there are no friends on the field, everyone defends their colors and their team. I hope we can beat him in this confrontation.
– Our team had one more day to recover and prepare than Spartak. Will it give any advantage?
– I don't think so. They have enough time to recover, so both teams will be well prepared for the match. I don't see any advantage in this.
– Recently, the club channel posted a post with the first and last photos of players on social networks. And you had the first photo with Pele himself. Tell us about her story.
– It was an amazing emotional meeting with the king of football. I was able to personally feel his greatness. I am very proud that I managed to meet him twice – once at the Santos Stadium and once again at his office.
– Who is the best football player of all time for you?
– Pele.