Gabriel Paulista: "I experienced what it means to have nothing, a ball for 200 children"

In the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna there is a legend that could well have been signed by

(Sao Paulo, 1990): «It is very difficult to beat someone who never gives up».

With the

won in 2019 tattooed on his left ankle, he has a bandage on his right thigh.

His fight is focused on playing the final in full condition after a difficult year, with a serious injury that cost him to overcome and the accumulated three seasons of rage and impotence.

A whirlwind of sensations this season... The truth is that it hasn't been good.

I have suffered a lot due to a very delicate injury [in the hamstring of my right leg] that was about to take me to the operating room.

Not having surgery so as not to miss the season has been the most difficult decision of my career. He took a risk, because it cost him a lot to return. Yes, because when I was injured against Villarreal in Mestalla I thought it was a normal injury, but when I tried to return training I noticed something.

The third time they told me about the operation and I left Paterna crying, thinking that the season was over, that I am 31 years old... Many things went through my head.

That's why it was a special day when I came back to play after almost four months and helped add to the victory with a great goal. It wasn't his first goal of the season,

I had already scored precisely against Betis. Yes, but that day in Mallorca I hit many things besides the ball.

I approached the area and the ball just came to me, I controlled it and I felt like a striker, who never passes the ball when they have it so clear.

When I scored I didn't know how to celebrate, everything I experienced in the previous months came to me and it was a liberation. Last season we saw him cry helplessly in front of the cameras due to the bad season.

Is that feeling forgotten? That day I showed myself as I am, transparent.

I don't hide behind anything, because football is everything to me.

Everything that my family and I have is because of football.

That's why when I'm on the pitch I want to give it my all, I want to try everything even if I can't.

Last year the season was complicated and this year it is obvious that the feeling is different.

We no longer feel that we are not going to get anywhere because we have this final. What has Bordalás given you?

I have a respect for him from the first day that will be eternal.

He is one of the few coaches I have had at Valencia that when he signed, that I was on vacation in Brazil, he sent me a message telling me that he wanted to see the Gabriel Paulista that played for the Spanish team.

After that I thought this had to be my best season.

After each game, no matter how well he played, he always asks me for more.

And I like that, because it makes me want to work more. Is Paulista the general in defense for the coach? I see myself that way, because the other central defenders are much younger and I have the responsibility of transmitting to them how they can be better .

I feel that greater responsibility for my experience and for being a captain. It is together with Gayà,

Soler and Guedes, one of the starting players who won the Copa del 19 and who today are pillars of the team. Yes, we feel that way.

I show that I am this player, like Gayà or Soler.

Gonçalo is not so much to demonstrate, but he is inside the locker room.

He is a very important player.

He is more focused, he has more confidence and I tell him that when he is not there, he shows on the field.

He is very good and I hope that those two goals from the previous final will be scored in this one.

Has the Spanish team train already passed? No, no.

I keep thinking about it a lot and I want to do a very good job to keep attracting Luis Enrique's attention.

What is it like for a Brazilian to nationalize to try to play for Spain? I have received a lot of support in this decision because we all know how difficult it is to have an opportunity in the Brazilian team.

When I saw that I had a chance with Spain, my family and those around me encouraged me.

Do you still sponsor the humble club in your neighborhood in Sao Paulo, the Esporte Club Eledy? Yes, because I experienced what it is like to have nothing, a ball for 200 children.

Now he helped them from the heart so that the boys have opportunities. You have spoken many times about the poverty in which you grew up and how football opened a path for you away from problems.

Has anything changed in your neighborhood in these years?

Many things have been improved in our country, but everything is still lacking in the favelas.

Also opportunities.

In Brazil, those of us from a humble community have few things to do and there are very dangerous roads.

It is sad to see close people enter them.

The only thing is football, because there is no other sport.

In Spain you can play tennis, like my son, but not there.

I want to help build a school in my neighborhood because now there is a field for 20 teams.

Can you see yourself on a bench? I've thought about it a lot and got to talk to Marcelino and Rubén Uría.

Things happened to me to start working, but I think I still have football left.depprtedeportesdeportesde

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