Lucio doesn’t like Louis van Gaal

Still playing at the age of 41, the 2002 World Cup winner hails Scolari and Mourinho – but not Louis van Gaal

You’re the last member of Brazil’s World Cup winning squad still going strong. Are you still enjoying playing?

Of course! I have to if I still want to be playing at my forties, training every day. I’m playing for Brasiliense, a small club in my home town. As long as I can perform on a good level, I’ll keep going.

What’s it like in Brazil’s fourth tier?

It’s a brutal difference to everywhere I’ve ever been, but despite leaving Brazil to play abroad at a very young age, I knew what to expect. The conditions aren’t the same, but it gives me the chance to do what I love, and pass on my experience to help young kids in their careers. I still love the game: these days, I take football more like a hobby.

Are opponents more motivated when they play against you?

I can see it in their eyes! They’re obviously more motivated, but they respect me a lot – sometimes they ask to take a photo! I could never imagine an opponent doing that in my glory days. Here they see me as an example, a guy who made it to Europe and became a World Cup winner.

Are you still in touch with your teammates from 2002?

Yes, I still talk to many them: Cafu, Kaka, Gilberto Silva, Marcos, Ronaldinho, Edmilson.

Can they believe you’re still playing?

They call me a ball-hog! They always say I should make room for young players, stay at home and take care of my children! They’re all my friends and they respect me. The decision to retire is a very personal one.

You had a pivotal role in that side. How special was winning the World Cup?

It was a dream – I was one of only three players who played every minute of Brazil’s road to the final. I have Big Phil Scolari to thank. During the qualifiers, we were at the hotel and he met my mum, who was walking down the hall with me. He told her to encourage me to open my mouth more, to be more talkative. He said ‘Your son is a good boy, very polite, hard-working – but he’s always quiet.’ I was so embarrassed! It was hilarious. I’ve always been shy, but from that day I changed my attitude on the pitch. It worked.

Do you remember that Michael Owen goal in the quarter-finals?

I made a mistake. Someone sent a long pass towards our box, my eyes were on him and I didn’t even notice the ball hitting my leg and running away from

me. You couldn’t afford that kind of error against him. But I tried to remain focused – that was the only way of fixing it and reversing the score. In the dressing room, Big Phil told me that his confidence in me remained the same. My team-mates said the same.

Which defensive performance are you most proud of from your career?

Against Germany in the 2002 final. Nearly perfect, physically and tactically.

Was Jose Mourinho pivotal to you?

He’s the best coach in the world – the best I’ve ever had. He demands a lot from you, but he means well. He wants you to improve, he motivates you. He’s a winner. That scares some players, but it’s what made him one of the best.

How did you end up with him at Inter?

He showed up in a tough moment of my life. I’d just been released from Bayern Munich by Louis van Gaal, who didn’t take the time to get to know me. I was feeling really hurt. Inter came in, and out of 32 teams, which one did we meet in the Champions League final? Bayern Munich, of course! Mourinho told me not to treat it like revenge. He approached me for a private chat in the dressing room before the game and said, ‘We’re aware of what happened to you at Bayern, but please don’t try to decide the game on your own’. We went home with the trophy.

When will you retire?

Maybe in the next year I’ll begin to plan a career as a coach. But I want to get some knowledge first and some experience – you naturally have some as a player, but it’s different. I want to learn more. My contract runs until May 2020 – after that I’ll take some courses, either in Brazil or in Europe. If I realise I’ve got the gift to become a coach, I’ll pursue a career in that area as I love football. I’ve learned from the best.

What would be your coaching style?

It would be something that included discipline, hard work and confidence – something that worked very well with Big Phil. And also a bit of what I saw Jose do – how he motivated players, demanded a lot from them, but at the same time he had their backs.

No Van Gaal in that mix?

Certainly not! I don’t want someone who has bias, who refuses to grant a player a chance before getting to know him, who judges him because he’s from a certain country. If I’m a coach, those things won’t happen. Marcus Alves