Roberto Mendez Silva or ' Beto ' speaks about himself , Mohun Bagan and this NFL !

Football life in brazil :

I started football from the early age of 14 . I was selected in the Cornithians junior team. Then my professional football career started at the club Sao Cantaneo after which I went to Annapolina . Then my stint in Portugal started . I played in Campo Mariens and then I was in Cabofriense . After that I joined the Juventus Athletic Club in Brazil .

Special moments in Brazil/Portugal :

Well , playing in Cornithians and Juventus are achievements in itself . I have practiced with Brazil internationals like Alex and Edu (Arsenal ) . When I was in Campo Mariens we played against FC Porto . I faced the likes of Fabio Junior and Deco ! Oh , what an experience of my life they were ! We lost 3-1 though .

Special feelings when you came to India :

Well , when I came to India , I didn’t know much about Indian football or Mohun Bagan . I came to know about it from the internet and mohunbaganclub.com . My very good friend – Du helped me very much indeed . In India , there are many supporters , you have to run around a lot and the game is based on long balls rather than touch play .

Your debut was against EB , we won and then we lost the IFA Shield Final …. How did you feel ?

Well , after our victory against EB , we felt that we must give this trophy to the supporters . We played our hearts out . And when I scored in the Extra time , we all felt that we have won the match , but our heart missed a beat when they equalized ! I couldn’t sleep for 2 days ! It was a great match , the team played greatly but sadly we lost

About Mohun Bagan and football in India :

Oh ! Mohun Bagan is a great team . I know that Cornithians came to play in the IFA Shield long ago against us ! We have great players . Basu , Mehtab , Noel . Basudeb is a great player . He has magic skills . I think Basudeb is a player who should be in Europe . Playing in India is great . Football is now being marketed very well over here .I am very satisfied over here . but sometimes I feel there is a little polictics . Haha !

About the criticism you have to face :

You see I have scored 16 goals in 21 matches . I am not worried about criticism . but I admit I am yet to deliver a trophy to Bagan .

 About our prospects in this NFL :

See , there is nothing to worry . We are in a OK position . I think we can still play for the Championship . We must concentrate on playing match by match and win all the games . And they ? Hah ! They are bound to lose points at some stage and then we will beat them in the second phase .

But we must play a team game . We are now playing like Real Madrid ! We have a lot of great players and stars but it is the team game which we need . And don’t worry , we will do it .

Do you have any problems with the coach ?

No , not at all . He is a good coach . Others tell me he was a great defender too . He is Du’s Father ! Ha Ha Ha !  . But sometimes , he makes us work very hard . I think it would be better if we had only a small workout of 30 mins before the matchday instead of a full practice . It makes the players tired and that’s why we sometimes concede goals in the dying moments .

Message for the fans :

Don’t Worry . Just have patience . You are all very good supporters . Stay with us . Come to the ground in large numbers . Its your voice that will motivate us to play good . I am a Mohun Bagai now ! I want to win the championship for Mohun Bagan

I am thankful to Jesus for Being with me . I pray him to give me power . Jesus please be with me , please be with my team . We need your blessings . Be with us and we will excel . I am thankful to Jesus for my goals , for my life . Thank you My Lord !

Beto and Du browsing mohunbaganclub.com                                                    Beto and Du with Mrinmoy Dey and Ayan Basu[Green & Maroon]
       [ Photographs by : Ayan Basu ]