Henrique: "A presentation would have been nice"

Barcelona player Henrique gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.





Where were you on 27 May 2009 on 20:45 pm?
At my home in Germany, watching the final, supporting Barça like a madman. I was very nervous, I felt part of that team. I was very happy at the end.

What impressed you most: winning the treble or the way in which it was won?
The way they did it was impressive, but what impressed me most was the quality of the whole group. You could see a cohesion among all of them that I have now also felt. It's one big family and you see that on the pitch.

You know Paris Hilton?
I'm very much a family man. I always stay at home with my family, I don't like to go out. I know who she is, but I didn't meet her.

The transfers of Madrid give you...
A lot of motivation. I'm living a dream and I won't start worrying about Madrid.

Who do Brazilians think will win the world cup?
Brazil, of course. But there are also other teams, like Spain, who can win the world cup.

What about the FIFA World Player and the Ballon d'Or?
Although I'm Brazilian, I can only admit that Messi is at this moment the best player in the world. There's nobody like him and there's no comparison possible.

It hurts that you are the only player of the squad that doesn't have a club cartoon?
No, that's not important for me. An official presentation would have been nice, but that cartoon doesn't affect me.

Michael Jackson: homicide or accident?
That's the question the whole world is thinking about. I don't know.

You knew Eto'o?
No, and it's a shame. I admire him a lot.

Which Brazilian team you dislike most?
As ex-Palmeiras player, the answer is obvious: Corinthians is like Real Madrid.


Read more:
Henrique's blog: part 4
Official players' pictures (part 1)
Henrique and Gai on first team debut

Henrique: "I think I can become a starter"

Bayer Leverkusen central defender and Barcelona loan out Henrique (22) gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.



translated by: al

Do you think you can compete with Puyol, Marquez, or Pique for a spot in the center?
Since I was in youth teams, I always worked hard to earn my place. This happened at every team I have played in. When I arrived, few knew who I was and I ended up being a starter because of my hard work and humility. I was always serious about my work. With respect to all the players, I think that I can end up being a starter at Barcelona as well.

Martín Cáceres didn't adapt. Do you think you have the profile necessary to play in such a high risk defence such as Barca's?
I think so. I've seen many of the team's matches, and with humility, I have to say that I see myself in the central position. I'm fast and one of my best characteristics is dribbling the ball all the way from the back. It's what I like best, because you create superiority from the back.

That is one of the characteristics that Guardiola values in a central defender...
I've always played like that, but at Bayer, the manager - Bruno Labbadia - wanted me to clear balls and play a long ball game. I prefer touching and dribbling the ball, and by doing that I got a slap on the wrist. I had to adapt to what I was told to do. I think that at Barca I can show my potential and my best football.

Is it true that versatility is one of your other strengths?
My natural position is the left side of the defense, even though I'm both right and left footed. This year at Bayer, I played in three of the four positions in the defense, I only didn't play in the left wing. It's interesting because when I played as a right back, they let me move up the flank to pass and help the attack with all the freedom I wanted.

What is something that stands out about the Barcelona defense?
It's true that all the praise goes to the attack, but we have a strong defense. There is experience, from players like Puyol and Marquez, and they are fast. It's hard to say what stands out. Barcelona was able to defend as a unit.

How did you experience this magical season?
Since I signed for Barca a year ago, I had always felt like a part of this winning project. I followed the team and many of its little details this season, up until they won everything. I became very happy with each victory. I did all my work in Germany thinking about Barca.

What characteristic of the team caught your attention?
The unity and the spirit of the group. Everybody that knows football knows that this team is very united and solidary and that they work well on the pitch. This is what allowed Barca to win every title. It's a compact team where everybody runs and can mark.

What did they say in Germany about the treble, or in Brazil, in this case?
It's a unanimous thought. Barca is the greatest team in the world. It's something that was made clear during the season and everybody has seen this in Brazil, Germany, and in the whole world.

And how do you keep on being motivated?
Motivation depends solely on the player. Whoever knows the taste of titles, wants to win more. Relaxation doesn't exist, and nobody should doubt that this team is hungry for more titles. To me, there is no doubt: I'll do everything to win.


this was the second and last part of this interview, you can read the first part here:
Henrique: "I feel ready for Barca"

Read more:
Henrique could be included in Bruno Alves deal
Galatasaray interested in four Barcelona players
Will Henrique return from loan?

Henrique: "I feel ready for Barca"

Bayer Leverkusen central defender and Barcelona loan out Henrique (22) gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.





How is your holiday break going?
Very well. I'm very happy. It's been a year since I signed with Barca and now I'm feeling satisfaction after a very positive experience at Bayer Leverkusen. I'm resting, but my head is completely concentrated on Barca.

Will we see you with Barca in July?
It all depends on what the club says to my representative this week. I'm calm. Right now I'm thinking about being in Barcelona on the 20th to begin the pre-season. It's my greatest wish.

Are you aware that you could be loaned for another year?
I think that it would still be important to play the pre-season with Barca, so I can be with the team and so Pep Guardiola could see me. I think that it would be great for my career to have this opportunity.

But, how would you handle another loan?
I want to stay, but if the club decides to loan me it would be with good intentions. There wouldn't be a problem.

Where would you like to end up?
If it's not Barca, I would probably like to play with any team in the Spanish league, but we'll see, I still hope to stay with this club and begin the pre-season.

Do you feel ready to become a part of the post-treble Barca?
It's obvious, and I say it with all the humbleness in the world. I'm much more prepared now than I was a year ago when I signed and then the club decided to loan me to Leverkusen.

How have you grown in Germany?
In many aspects, but most importantly in a physical perspective. I learned much about how European football functions. Also, by living abroad I grew and matured much as a person. Playing in the Bundesliga has been a great life experience.

Are you a much stronger person now?
Yes, in many ways, especially physically. I made a personal fitness plan and I gained 5 and a half kilos of muscle mass. German football requires much strength, and you get hit, so I learned to play against constant contact.

translated by: al


this was the first part of this interview, you will be able to read the second part in the coming days.

Read more:
Henrique could be included in Bruno Alves deal
Galatasaray interested in four Barcelona players
Will Henrique return from loan?

Henrique: "I want to join Barcelona next season"

Bayer Leverkusen central ddefender and Barcelona loan out Henrique gave an interview to Madrid sports taloid Marca.





Do you see yourself playing in Barcelona in the season 2009-2010?
I am working very hard in Bayer Leverkusen to comply with the objective to be a part of the squad of Barcelona in the season that comes.

Do you see yourself succeeding there?
Yes. Everything will depend on the level of my commitment and I'm sure I will give all I can. I believe that everything depends on the effort devoted to it. Precisely for this reason, I am working very hard and I do not want to divert. I want to seize every oppurtunity provided to me by the club. I want to triumph in Barcelona and I have set it as one of my top priorities for the next campaign.

You're looking forward to play in Spain?
Very much... Barcelona is a very big club and I expect myself to be prepared when I get the oppurtunity to wear the blaugrana shirt. The mere fact that I can think about playing there is a dream for me.

2008 was a special year for you. You started at Coritiba and then there was Palmeiras, Barcelona and Leverkusen...
I will never forget 2008. A lot of things happened in my life, and thanks to God, all were positive for my football career. I won a lot individually and I think I was always learning a little from each team in which I was.

You said you are happy in Germany? You want to continue there?
This does not only depend on me. I must obey whatever Barcelona says, although I want to go there. But if they prefer me to continue at Bayer Leverkusen, I will be happy to do so. It will be the same if I am sent to another club. Although I prefer to play in Barcelona.

Rudi Voller says that he will try to prevent you from leaving...
If he says this, it fills me with pride, as I only have been half a season at the club. It's nice that people think well of you. That means that I am working in a proper manner and that things are going well.

Playing on a regular basis with Bayer led to your selection for the national team...
Well, it is clear that a player who plays a lot has more oppurtunities to succeed than those who don't play often.

Did you ever talk with Guardiola?
Although I talked with him only once, when I came to Barcelona before going to Germany, I know that he is keeping track of my developments at Bayern Beverkusen, because he's in permanent contact with the club's technical directors.

Do you follow Barca's games?
Of course! I don't miss a single match. I have the 'Barca TV' channel at my house.

What do you think about the level of football they play?
Messi, Etoo', Puyol, Xavi ... What can I say about all the qualities they have? I can not say anything but praise them for the tremendous level of expertise of each of the players from the squad. I can only watch and admire their play.

Wouldn't you like to be a part of that squad?
Clearly! I do not believe that there can be players currently that desire not to play in the Barcelona. At present, the technician has a great group of players at his service.

Do you see yourself triumphing at the Camp Nou?
That is the objective that I must meet, in addition to winning many titles with the club. I'm working every day to make this a reality.

Have you been in contact with any of the players of the Barca squad?
No, I do not know anyone. I just came across Puyol and Xavi the day I met with Guardiola in the club. It was just when they returned with the Spanish team. The only contact that I have is with Dani Alves, but that has been because I know him from the Brazilian squad.

Are you aware of the fact that the current Barca squad has many central defenders?
Yes, I know. But these things do not worry me too much because when I arrive at the club I will fight to get myself a position in the starting eleven. Something similar happened to me at Bayer Leverkusen, since there were many defenders and in the end I finished being an unquestionable starter in the eyes of the coach. These things depend on many factors, but my motto is to work and gain a position, I always do it to the maximum.

Competing for a place will be hard for you...
I can only say that I will work hard so that the coach notices me and to win myself a place in the team. I also believe that to earn a position at Barcelona will be a lot more difficult than doing it in Germany, but I believe in my abilities. If they give me an opportunity to show what I can, I will not let them down.

Do you know that your signing has been questioned quite a few times?
Yes I am aware of this fact.But it is something that is beyond my reach.I can only say that,since they bought me, they must have seen something in me .

Do you want to silence those people who thought that your transfer was expensive?
No, no. That is not my responsibility,it is something related to the club. One knows what he has to face when he joins a big club like Barcelona. I will be prepared to succeed when I arrive at the Camp Nou.

Translated by: Anik


Read more:
Leverkusen wants to keep Henrique one more year
Alves: "I have more energy every day"
Decision on Henrique's future next month