Renato Paiva, currently coach of Brazilian club Botafogo, is set to reunite with two of his former Benfica protégés, João Neves and Gonçalo Ramos, now players at Paris Saint-Germain, at the forthcoming Club World Cup. He spoke to them with a sense of humor, explaining that he still keeps in touch with his former players.
Paiva “There are two who, if they score a goal for me, will get a slap in the face each”.
“There are two players who, if they score a goal for me, will get a slap in the face each, Gonçalo Ramos and João Neves, from Paris Saint-Germain. They’ll be playing on the other side of the pitch, which is a curiosity. We’ve already talked about it, I’ve already spoken to Gonçalo about it. They’re players I’ve worked with, more with Gonçalo than with João. Today, they’re at Paris Saint-Germain. There’s also the case of Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Ederson… These are players I keep in touch with.
Paiva “I look at them with a lot of pride”.
I look at them with a lot of pride, as a coach I’ve had a very small part in their careers. I’ve been one of many coaches they’ve had. But the most important thing is always them. Today, they’re all at a very high level, in the Portuguese national team, playing in the Champions… I’m very proud because while I was in training, I was always a coach who never looked at titles.”
For clubs from other continents, taking on the big European teams in competitions such as the Club World Cup is of major importance. These confrontations not only enable them to measure themselves against the elite of world soccer, but also to gain experience, visibility and prestige.
It’s an opportunity to showcase the quality of their soccer, enhance the profile of their players and attract the attention of the media and international scouts. What’s more, these encounters encourage cultural and tactical exchanges, contributing to the evolution of the game and the growth of soccer in all regions of the world.
Reuniting with former players is a moment of joy and pride for a coach, who sees the fruits of his labor and the successes of those he has trained. These reunions are also a reminder of human bonds and shared memories.
