FRANCE 98 – LEONARDO (18) : “If BRAZIL wants to take home a fifth title, we need to beat every one”

LEONARDO (18) : “If BRAZIL wants to take home a fifth title, we need to beat every one”

19.06.98 19h42 CET

Comments made at Ozoir-la-Ferrière (southeast of PARIS), training camp for Brazilians

DUNGA (8), Captain

Regarding the dispute between DUNGA and BEBETO during the BRAZIL-MOROCCO (3-0) match on Tuesday 16 June at Nantes: “One must acknowledge one’s errors at some time. That error which happened as we were leading 1-0 threw me off guard and I admit I exaggerated. You know, football is all about detail, especially in a World Cup, and I thought that error could have provided Morocco with a chance to bring them level. You, the journalists, paint a picture of BEBETO as some kind of fragile boy. That’s wrong. Although he is shy, he showed in the match against MOROCCO (BEBETO scored the third goal) that he in fact has a strong personality.”

BEBETO (20)

“Let’s forget that incident. We made up immediately. Those things happen when you live in a group. It clearly shows our spirit: the will to win and play well. The important thing is that BRAZIL has qualified for the round of 16.”

LEONARDO (18)

“I can assure you that BRAZIL is gaining power, whether it be in the game or the teamwork. The team is not yet at 100%, but we have proven our precision and concentration. As for me, I hope after this match to be on the way to playing more matches than in the last World Cup (LEONARDO was a starter but he was sent off in the round of 16 against the UNITED STATES which prevented him from playing further matches.) As for our opponents in the round of 16, I have no preference whatsoever. If BRAZIL wants to take home a fifth title, we need to beat every one.”

RIVALDO (10)

“From now on, we just need to concentrate on the match against NORWAY (match no. 35 on Tuesday 23 June in MARSEILLE) which we absolutely want to win (BRAZIL lost 4-2 in Oslo against the Norwegians in 1997). We know that the Norwegian style of play consists of playing the long ball and we are prepared for that. It doesn’t matter who our opponents are in the round of 16. However, a possible BRAZIL-ITALY match (if ITALY finishes second in Group B) would be an early final, which would be unfortunate for both teams.”

EMERSON (11)

“I can only wait for ZAGALLO’s decision regarding the match against NORWAY. I’m doing my best in training sessions but, I repeat, the decision belongs to the coach. ZAGALLO hasn’t talked to me about it yet. The match against NORWAY, if I play it, will be a chance for me to prove myself. Being called on to play is a great responsibility. I am ready to take that on.”