When I was nine or ten, I had a chat with my coach and I asked if I could play in goal. I started playing as a goalkeeper and it was love at first sight. Only a goalkeeper knows how it is.
When a child falls over and gets injured, he gets back up and carries on playing. It's no different for me.
Most of the games are decided by a small margin. That shows the intensity and the competitiveness of the English league. Everyone knows here the competition is ferocious. It's a bit different than the Portuguese league. But I'm going to try to adapt to this league as quick as possible.
I don't practise it that much, maybe two or three times a week. It's a natural skill that I have, to hit long balls, so I don't need to practise it every day.
I help a lot in the build up and the long balls as well. But mainly I would say a goalkeeper must be a calm person to cope with the pressure to handle when you make a mistake. I think that's really important and it helps you a lot to develop your skills.
I think modern football has evolved a lot. Goalkeepers do several things during the game.
I've always been very good at playing long balls. That was an attribute that my old club Benfica used to exploit because you can't be offside from a goal-kick.
That is very important, to play with your feet, it is very important to know how to read the game and obviously save balls and also handle the pressure when it comes to the crunch time.
I have always been skilful with my feet.
When I used to watch the derbies on TV in the past, I could tell the atmosphere of those games was incredible. Now, being able to be part of such a great event like a Manchester derby, it's an amazing feeling.
When you live without training for a long time, you end up losing that habit. It is difficult to resume things, even if you have some time to prepare. It is difficult to acquire that rhythm again. Many injuries end up happening.
Pep is a great manager who sees football in another way. He lives football and breathes football. The way he thinks about the game is completely different to other managers.
My goal is to defend our goal, save shots and not concede goals. But one thing that could happen is to score a goal from my penalty box to the other box directly.
I have gained Selecao recognition, eventually. I'm very proud of it, and now I want to replicate my Benfica's performance for my country.
Whether I use the long kick all depends on the moment, only at certain stages of the game.
In the European competition, when the knockout rounds start, it's always 50-50.
I used to play as a 'goleiro-linha,' it's a goalkeeper that plays a lot with his feet.
I remember my father used to wake up at 4 A.M. He woke me up as well. We would leave home together, he was going to work and I continued my walk to catch the bus. I had my training session with Sao Paulo in the morning. I had to take two buses to the point I could take the club bus.
I already know about the importance of the derby.
On the pitch, I try to be focused and calm and think positive. That's my attitude towards football.
