Muriqui: “Next season will be a personal challenge”

Muriqui: “Next season will be a personal challenge”
31 Jul 2015

Last season was one of ups and downs for Luiz Guilherme da Conceição Silva, commonly known as Muriqui. The Brazilian striker, who was in his debut season for Al-Sadd started with a bang, scoring two goals in the Sheikh Jassem Cup before going down to an injury that ruled him out for large parts of the season. He returned late, struggling to find his feet before finishing on a high note in the Emir Cup triumph.

With the new season around the corner, Muriqui is determined to turn the page. In an exclusive chat with the official website of the club, he talked of his desire to make amends for last season and his targets for the next season. Currently training hard with his teammates at the preseason camp in Kaprun, Muriqui said that he started training two weeks before the club started practice on July 12. “I have set a personal challenge: I want to make amends for last season, which was ruined by an injury that ruled me out for more than six months. I want to show everyone the real Muriqui,” he said. “I started training early so that I can be fully prepared come the start of the new season. I want to perform at the level that I am known to be capable of, helping the team to win matches and titles like how I did in the Emir Cup last year.”

Muriqui had words of praise for the Kaprun training camp, which is being supervised well by the coaching staff. “The camp is progressing well and the coaching staff have put in palce a great programme to prepare the players. There is a great spirit in the camp, particularly with the friendlies coming up, which will be crucial to our preparation.”

When asked about his relationship with his teammates, Muriqui said: “I have a great relationship with my teammates, especially since they are united by a family spirit; I have witnessed this on multiple occasions. The only problem is language, as my English is quite weak. But the players are all very supportive, helping me out on and off the pitch.” As for Xavi, the latest addition to the team, Muriqui said: “Xavi is a legend and a midfield superstar; playing alongside him will be a dream and an honour. I hope Xavi and the rest of the team will be in their best levels as we begin to fight for the targets we have set.”

Muriqui also took the opportunity through al-saddclub.com to express his sincere gratitude to head coach Hussein Amouta. “He stood by me in a season that I was mostly absent from due to injuries. Therefore I will work hard to repay him; I will give my best in all matches to make amends and repay him.”

The Brazilian also talked of the importance of reclaiming the league title, which has been away from Al-Sadd for the past two years. “The players have to be prepared to compete hard for the QSL title. I think the matches next season will be tough, considering that all teams are preparing strongly.”

Away from Al-Sadd, Muriqui was asked about the Asian Champions League and who he thinks will progress. “There are a number of good teams, both from East and West Asia but my personal prediction is that my former team, Guangzhou Evergrande is the best and will be able to win the title it last won in 2013.”

We also asked Muriqui about the recent struggles of the Brazilian national team, to which he replied: “Brazil is going through a lean phase and facing a lot of problems now, the most prominent of which is that there are no other stars like Neymar in the team. Everyone else plays to support Neymar and not the team. There is also a lack of promising talent in the youth setup and all this has contributed to the regression that we are seeing now. I hope it does not continue for long.”