Dubai: Alessandro Rosa Vieira, or Falcao as he’s better known, says the recognition that comes with being known as the world’s best futsal player makes him feel “responsible” for helping the sport develop.
Falcao was guest of honour at Friday’s exhibition futsal match between the Expo 2020 and Nad Al Sheba teams held as part of the Nad Al Sheba Ramadan Championships.
The Brazilian, who could not play in the event due to an old knee injury and who watched the action along with Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council (DSC), said: “People call me the best and it is a good feeling. But along with the title comes the responsibility of doing everything possible to spread the word of futsal everywhere I go.”
The Nad Al Sheba team went on to defeat the Expo 2020 team 2-1, with UAE national team players Abdul Kareem Jamil and Wael Khamis scoring for the hosts, while Dutch star Nabeel Akaazoun got a consolation goal three minutes from full time.
“Futsal is such a sublime sport and one can really do a lot of things with the ball on the pitch,” Falcao said, stressing that he would give serious thought to Shaikh Hamdan’s invitation to come down for a longer visit towards the end of November.
“This is part of my responsibility as a top player. I feel I need to give something back to the sport and, when a person like Shaikh Hamdan invites me to be here, I will make sure I do come and even play in Dubai,” he said.
“It is my desire to come here and do something more organised like a clinic for players, especially the young ones, as futsal plays a crucial role in developing future footballers,” Falcao added.
Falcao helped Brazil win the Fifa Futsal World Cup for a record fifth time last year.
Now 36, the native of Sao Paulo started his football career with Corinthians in 1992. Known for his flashy and potent dribbling skills and a powerful and accurate left foot coupled with his riveting ball control, he became an integral part of the Brazilian futsal team and went on to become the best player in the world.
The futsal exhibition match was one of three one-off events at the Nad Al Sheba Ramadan Championships to popularise varied sports activities among the UAE youth. The 10-km road run was held on July 12, while a 70-km night cycle race will be held on July 26 before the championships conclude on August 2.
