Recently, Claudio pizarro He mentioned him as the best left-handed player with whom he had to share a team. Days after the Peruvian’s retirement in Werder Bremen, the former Brazilian national team player Zé Roberto spoke exclusively with RPP News from Sao Paulo and returned the caress.
Zé Roberto described Claudio Pizarro as an intelligent scorer and included him along with Ronaldo, Romario, Bebeto and Suker in his Top 10 of attackers with whom he made society.
How did Claudio (Pizarro) ‘s retirement fall on you?
For me Claudio, even though he is already 41 years old, I could pass my record because I played until 43. I don’t know if he was tired of the concentrations, of the trips, but it showed that he was physically well. Until now he has been playing at a high level, he is a differentiated footballer. It is sad for me that a footballer with his class has retired from football.
In an interview he was asked about the best left-handed and right-handed player he had in his career. As the best left-hander chose you, did you know this?
Oh! For me it is a surprise, I did not know. I am very happy that a player with Claudio’s class has pointed me out as the best left-handed player who played with him.
Did you think he was retiring in South America or in Germany?
I thought I would play one more year at Werder Bremen, and then go back to Peru and do it one more year. But since he is there with the family, the boys at school, his mistress already adapted to Europe, it would be very difficult to go back with everyone and start again.
What is the secret of both to play so long?
Not having so many injuries was a fundamental point. I have had very few injuries in my career, Claudio too. In addition to 100% professionalism, living the career, and body care. Those three things are essential for a footballer to have a long career. From the time I played with him at Bayern, I noticed that he was a player who was very clear that he had to take care of his way of living football.
As a midfielder, was it easy to play with Claudio Pizarro?
Yes, very easy. Because Claudio, as much as he was a scorer and the first action for a scorer is to kick and he had it, he was very intelligent, he always expected the best option. Sometimes it was to touch and pass (wall), another to kick to score a goal. What set him apart from Pizarro is that he was a great scorer, but smart.
You shared a team with many renowned strikers. Is Claudio in the top 10?
Yes, sure. I have played with others that you did not mention like Davor Suker, Romario, Bebeto and other greats, but surely Claudio is in the top 10 forwards I have played with.
Are you surprised that his farewell is in Germany and not in Peru?
It does not surprise me, because Claudio (Pizarro) ‘s career was basically in Europe and it is natural for him to say goodbye in Europe.
Did you imagine seeing him at the World Cup?
Yes, I was surprised. He is a player that Peru missed a lot, because when you play a World Cup you have to have youth, but also a balance, have young people, but also experienced players. I could not say that Claudio had gone to be a starter, but if I was to be part of the Gareca squad. He could have helped a lot with his experience, with the way he played. I was very surprised that he was not there.
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