Exclusive: My mom’s presence in the stadium did the miracle -Weverton

Rio Olympics Gold medalist Brazil team member Waverton. File Pic
Rio Olympics Gold medalist Brazil team member Weverton. File Pic

Internet Desk: Brazilian football got a redemption of Moacir Barbosa Nascimento’s pricked soul who had a tragic consequence in the very same Maracana Stadium in 1950 FIFA World Cup Final in Brazil’s new “gloves of trust” Weverton, who made a despairing save in the penalty shootout against Germany in the all important Olympic football final to give the first ever Olympics Gold to the nation. The heroic performance has suddenly made him a national hero in Brazil.

The appreciation he got across the globe would certainly boost his confidence in the years to come. After the historic performance, the new superstar of Brazilian football gave an exclusive interview only to XtraTime, after playing his Brazil Cup game against Gremio for Club Atletico Paranaense on Friday. Weverton resurrected the road to glory for clinching the illusive Gold for Brazil and a lot more untold stories in a cordial interview with XtraTime.

1. How big a moment is this for Brazilian football?

Many players have tried and we got this Olympic title . This Brazilian generation is selected. Brazil will be champion again, but we were the first and that is special and unforgettable. There is no way to measure everything we stand at the moment for Brazilian football, as a historic achievement. But the Brazilian fans back to have confidence in the national team.

2. Club Atletico Paranaense have helped the nation in finding a world class goalkeeper in you. What do you want to say about the contribution of the club?

In these four years I’ve been here, Atlético Paranaense trained me for this, helped me and dream with me. The club is part of everything that is happening in my life, because it gave me the opportunity to play and grow. Luciano Oliveira, coach of goalkeepers, was also important in this path here. Be goalkeeper of Atlético Paranaense and Brazilian team is spectacular.

3. What was going through your mind when you saved that goal in the penalty shootout?

It was a special Saturday. When I was in overtime I thought of my mother, who was at the stadium. And when went to penalties, I knew that the peace would make a difference. And who is more relaxed take advantage. I have studied the German scouts, mostly what I got. I saw eight penalties and it was four hits on each side. So I quietly went to the corner he believed. I’ve seen this move about 50 times and I will continue watching.

4. How good a motivator Neymar Jr is?

He is a different player and helped this team. Before the game, he said he was having a second chance, because he lost the gold medal in London, and we could win at the first opportunity.  Neymar Jr. was very important for the Brazilian team on this achievement.

5. How was the celebration in the dressing room?

It was a very special moment. We fight for the Olympic Games for the achievement of this gold medal and when we reach the goal, it was time to celebrate with everyone who participated in this title.

6. What has been the turning point after the shaky start in the Olympics campaign?

It was a young cast, but with experience in large teams. When empathize the first two matches the mood was complicated because we could not classify. But we never stop believing and we knew our quality. We do not stop believing and working and that made the difference for us to have a change and we won the gold medal.

7. Who is your idol and whom do you want to dedicate this victory?

My idol is Taffarel and I will have the chance to work with the Brazilian national team. I will always be grateful to Atlético Paranaense, to Luciano Oliveira and all who are involved in this success. And my whole family was important to this victory, especially my mother, who was always by my side.

8. Is this a redemption of Brazil’s humiliating defeat against Germany in the FIFA World Cup 2014?

I had the weather for everything Germany has done with the national team in the past. And he gets involved. But we do not take it into the field. We played normally, thinking only in this game.