Jonathas: 'My friend Carlos Eduardo told me Rubin is a great club. This is why I'm in Kazan'

'I was the Messi and the Cristiano from Elche'

You are a pupil of one of the greatest Brazilian clubs. Don't you regret that you couldn't play in the first team of Cruzeiro for a long time? 8 matches for your clubs is not much.

I've played in all junior teams of the club. When I made my debut in the first team of Cruzeiro, many European clubs were interested in me. This is why I left it. In Brazil, many players follow this practice. It is a common thing.

You started to play in Europe confidently. You scored 16 goals in a season in Serie B at Brescia. Could you tell us about this period?

When I arrived in Italy, I did not speak Italian. But I started to speak it fluently 3-4 months later. I also easily adapted to the game. When club trusts you, you can do your job well. I played at Brescia during one year. Then many Italian clubs like Milano expressed their interest in me. To tell the truth, I don't know what happened. In the end, I went to Pescara, then to Latina. Many Italian clubs were interested in me after that. But I did not have much desire to continue to play there. I did not want to return to Italia. Moreover, my family did not want to live there.

You did not manage to cement your position in Seria A but you did it in La Primera when you scored 14 goals for Elche. Is true that forwards find it easier to play in Spain? Or was it your personal achievement?

When the desire to score a goal runs in a forward's veins, he can score at any club. But club's trust, a sequence in games are the most important factors. Everything must favour a tranquil game, I think our coach at Elche was like our dad. Fans also liked me. Such a state of affairs always helps to win. I think the best season in my career was at Elche. In La Liga I was even compared with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But I was the Messi and the Cristiano from Elche (smiling).

Then you joined Real Sociedad. What went wrong there?

I played in few matches. I was injured. Moreover, we did not have good relations with the coach. I don't know what happened between us, but something went wrong. The mentor did not believe in me. I played little but scored 7 goals. If you compare the matches I played at Real Sociedad and at Elche, it turns out that the goal statistics in both teams is the same.

When the desire to score a goal runs in a forward's veins, he can score at any club. But club's trust, a sequence in games are the most important factors.

Was the style of Real Sociedad probably be different from the football at Elche?

It was! At Elche, the whole team played for me. At Real game for forwards was tougher because there was a lot of tiki-taka instead of direct attacks.

'I could play at Madrid but be unhappy'

Why did you decide to change one of the strongest leagues of the world for the Russian one when you joined Rubin?

Rubin is also a good club that has its own history. I also want to make history here. I have a great desire to succeed at this club. Naturally, we are only starting to work. I demonstrate my qualities and help the team. Patience is needed. It is normal. We get acquainted with mates on and off the pitch. I'm very happy here. I'm happy to be able to participate in this project, have such teammates. I'm glad about everything that I have around me. Our team is young, and it consists of good people. So, there is everything for achieving success.

What about the League?

I could play at Barcelona, Madrid… but be unhappy. I had everything in San Sebastian but I was unhappy. Happiness is the most important thing. I came here in search of happiness. I came to step onto the pitch and be happy, play with joy and feel free, and do what I like the most, of course, — play football. At Real Sociedad, I lost this hunger and joy a bit.

What did you know about Rubin before your move to Kazan?

To be honest, my friend had played here. It is Carlos Eduardo. He told me everything about Kazan. He told that Rubin is a great club with great people and workers. He spoke well of the club. This is why I decided to come here.

'Kazan is better than San Sebastian'

What can you say about the city?

Kazan is a splendid and beautiful city and not just because I am here. In my opinion, Kazan is more beautiful than San Sebastian. And my wife likes it. It is the most important thing because I need to play football here.

Did your family also move here?

No, my wife arrives on Friday morning. To be honest, I miss my daughters and my wife very much.

Aren't Kazan girls bothering you while you are alone now?

We may talk about it because my wife is not here (smiling). Indeed, girls are very beautiful and nice here. But I can't look at them. Brazil also has many beautiful girls. But I always stay apart.

So what do you do in your spare time?

It is a very easy question. I spend all my day at the base. I come home just to sleep. I have to be here in the morning and evening because of my injury, I am receiving treatment.

Let's switch to more difficult questions then. Why did Rubin lose in all four matches? Kazan expected another result.

We also expected another result. But it is football. Whatever can happen. But there is no excuse. We are getting acquainted inside the team and doing what the coach wants. I'm sure as soon as we have adapted, we will start to grow.

It is football. Whatever can happen. But there is no excuse. We are getting acquainted in the team and doing what the coach wants. I'm sure as soon as we have adapted, we will start to grow.

Did the Russian League surprise you? Is it more complicated than it seems to be?

I can't speak about it (smiling). Speaking seriously, you have such good teams as Zenit, CSKA or Spartak. In Spain, only Madrid and Barcelona are at the top, while others are somewhere at the bottom. In Russia, all teams have the same level. Having won 2-3 matches consecutively, you can climb the top. Having lost, you can turn out at the bottom. Any team can both win and lose. You don't have favourites.

'I shouldn't have played against Spartak'

In the match against Spartak you was injured. Or had you been injured? Many people saw you had a bandage.

Having shot the ball, I felt a sharp pain. But I wanted to play very much, though I shouldn't have played. But I could not refuse and just asked to wrap a bandage. Once I felt I could not play any more. If I had played more, I would have worsened the situation. I did not want to harm the team. I had an incredible desire to play. We played and thought well. The pain was severe. I could not tolerate it.

So how do you feel now? When will we see you on the pitch?

Today (on Wednesday) I had a training. I trained with the team a bit and then left the training. I hope I will be able to train with the team tomorrow.

In other words, will we see you in Orenburg?

Yes. I feel better day after day. I was fine in today's training. I think I will train with the team tomorrow (Editor's Note: he did). It is important to be with the team. I also want to express my gratitude to the medical department. They are always with me and do an exceptional job.

How many goals do you need to score to be able to say 'I did my best for the team'?

It is the first question I am asked at any club I have ever played (smiling). I don't like to imagine a certain number. Expectations augments depending on trust in the team. But I always have a number in my head. Let's speak about it in the final of the League.

But it is not only one goal, right?

No (smiling).

'In Kazan, I felt I was the Jonathas from Elche'

You are quite a young player. But you have already played at many clubs. How did it happen?

One can earn 10, 20, 30 million. But money doesn't matter if I am not happy. Money won't substitute my happiness and my joy. I played at least 2-3 season at each club. No one knows what is going to happen then. I'm sure I will spend many years in Kazan.

That is to say, you feel happy here?

Yes. I've felt good on the very first day. When I stepped onto the pitch in the match against Spartak, I felt I was the Jonathas from Elche. It is a pity I was injured. I want to return stronger. We all need time to achieve a good result. I think I'm able to do great things at this club together with all mates and make Rubin fans and Kazan citizens glad.

I know how to say 'thanks', 'goodnight', 'good morning', 'hello'. <...> I explain myself with the help of my hands and gestures. One always can understand whether a person in front of him or her is good or bad.

So we understood that relations between player and coach are important for you. What can you say about the Kazan coach?

I played against Gracia's Málaga when I was at Elche. It was a good match. I'm glad to be able to work with him. I trust him, and he trusts me. I will do my best on the pitch for him and for myself.

Have you already made friends at Rubin? Who do you spend your time with?

With Spanish-speaking mates. I don't speak Russian at the moment (smiling). I know how to say 'thanks', 'goodnight', 'good morning', 'hello'. When my wife comes here, we will take Russian language classes. I don't want to speak fluently. I want to understand.

What about Tatar? For instance, 'rekhmet' means 'thank you'.

No, let's start small (smiling). I explain myself with the help of my hands and gestures. One always can understand whether a person in front of him or her is good or bad. And this team consists of only good people.

It is known that Ryzikov is the chief clown. Who interprets this role among Spanish-speaking lads?

To be honest, every day we have different jokers. But Ryzhikov is the best at joking, he is the number one.

Fans says he is the number one on the pitch too… I agree with them.

Sure. Our goalkeeper surprised me very much. He does a quality job on and off the pitch.

'Pele? Only Ronaldo'

Pele is an idol for 90% of Brazilian forwards. Who is your example?

Pele? No. I have only one example — Ronaldo. Of course, there are many good players and forwards. But Ronaldo is my only phenomenon.

Ronaldo from Brazil?

Yes. I can say nothing about Pele. I did not see him playing. I can say nothing about Pele, Maradona, Garrincha because I did not see them. I have seen Ronaldo playing many times. When I was playing at Cruzeiro, Ronaldo was already in Italy. But I met many people who knew him, they told me many stories about him.

What modern-day famous players did you play together in the junior team at Cruzeiro?

I played with Ramires, Willian, Douglas Costa. As for the Brazilians who are playing in Russia, I played with Ari. And Carlos Eduardo who is living in my city Belo Horizonte and playing at Atlético Mineiro.

How is he doing?

As I am here, I don't know what is happening there. But Atlético Mineiro has always fought for titles.

It seems that national team of Brazil is losing its world leadership in football, excluding the Olympics in Rio. We still remember the defeat inflicted by Germany. What is happening to the Brazilian football and the national team in particular?

It is a result of one match out of 50. I think it won't happen again. Brazil started to play with no concentration. And Germany just went ahead. Germany always has good teams. It is normal.

'I am such a person who comes home after defeat, gets angry with his wife and kids'

Do you agree that the level of the young generation of players is weaker than the level of Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and so on?

The football of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos — is another story. They are different players. Football always develops. Today teams and players are strong. They all play at a high level. This is why it is difficult to play now. But Brazil always has many talents. Three forwards played in the Olympiad: Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Luan. They are all young and go from Brazil to great European clubs.

Football always develops. Today teams and players are strong. They all play at a high level. This is why it is difficult to play now. But Brazil always has many talents.

When should we wait for your first goal?

I wanted to do it in both matches I played in. I am such a person who comes home after defeat, gets angry with his wife and kids and doesn't sleep. But I know I need to be patient towards myself. I came here just a month ago. I need to work much to be in shape. The team must win, it is the most important thing. I'm happy for another forward if he scores a goal and the team wins. We need to work together: if I don't score a goal, another player will do it; if another player doesn't score a goal, I will do it. We will be able to do good things only this way. I have a great desire to score a goal. But in football one can't be always dying for scoring a goal and be excited. It is important to feel this cold in the stomach and be calm.