In anticipation of Sydney FC’s pivotal encounter with league leaders Auckland FC on Saturday, aleagues.com.au speaks with Brazilian icon Douglas Costa to gather his insights on football in Australia and his experiences in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
In Brazil, football is more than just a game; it’s a way of life.
For many young boys and girls, their allegiance to a club is typically dictated by a football-loving family member right from birth. You become a fan before you can even string together a sentence.
In Rio de Janeiro, you might find yourself supporting Flamengo’s vibrant red and black, or Botafogo’s classic black and white. In São Paulo, it could be the renowned white of Santos, while in the southern city of Porto Alegre, fans might proudly wear the colours of Grêmio in blue, white, and black.
For Sydney FC’s standout player Douglas Costa, it was Grêmio that captured his heart.
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“Football has always been my passion,” remarked the former Brazilian international as he sat down with aleagues.com.au at the Sky Park training facility of Sydney FC.
“I inherited this love from my father. As a child, I eagerly awaited his return home from work, just for a chance to play a few minutes with him.”
“I’d play in the streets. Here in Australia, it seems like kids need to pay to engage in soccer. In Brazil, things are different.”
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“You can find a ball in nearly every corner, and everyone plays. You see someone with a ball and just ask, ‘Can I join in?’ It’s all about enjoyment, and if you’re talented enough, you’ll have opportunities knocking at your door.”
Costa definitely has the ability, which is no small feat considering the calibre of talent emerging from Brazil.
If you were a kid from Porto Alegre in the late ’90s and early 2000s, there’s a good chance your idol boasted a headband, sported long hair tied back in a ponytail, and displayed a stunning smile, while dazzling fans and defenders alike with incredible skills.
Of course, that player is the legendary Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, better known as Ronaldinho.
Costa was one of those aspiring young talents, looking up to the former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and AC Milan superstar as his role model.
Honing his abilities on the streets of Sapucaia do Sul, Costa began his journey to the heights of European football, culminating in his current stardom in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
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“I had the potential to pursue other paths, but my father enrolled me in an academy—one that was quite humble and simple. I excelled there, which led me to Grêmio, and that’s when things became serious.”
Walking in Ronaldinho’s footsteps, Costa dedicated his early years to Gremio before making the leap to Europe where he trained under legendary coaches like Pep Guardiola—who would go on to label him one of the finest wingers in the world.
“As a child, I aimed to simply enjoy the game. On the pitch, all my worries vanished. While I don’t face many issues, everyone has their struggles.”
“When I step onto the pitch and play, it transforms into pure enjoyment for me, and that’s what keeps me playing.”
Fans who have witnessed Costa’s performances this season for Sydney FC can attest that this 34-year-old samba star is undeniably enjoying himself.
Whether it’s a cheeky no-look pass or a signature flip-flap reminiscent of Ronaldinho, Costa has mesmerized audiences with his technical prowess since arriving in Australia.
However, the move to Australia’s premier league caught both his friends in Brazil and colleagues from major European clubs off guard.
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“When I announced my move to the A-League, my friends worldwide were puzzled. They remarked, ‘I can’t believe someone like you would go there, especially at your age.’ Usually, players opt for leagues in Saudi Arabia or similar.”
“This move was quite special for me because I found myself at a crossroads: should I continue playing or not?”
“Sydney FC offered me another opportunity, and I thought, why not take on this challenge?”
“When my friends came to visit, they realised the quality of play here is quite high.”
“Of course, we still have many areas to improve, but the A-League is evolving year by year.”
Costa believes a significant aspect of this growth is the talent being developed within the nation.
Though he’s only spent a few months in Australia, the native of Sapucaia do Sul knows talent when he sees it.
Whether it’s playing alongside legends like Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich, Neymar on the Brazilian national team, or countless skilled players from Brazil who went unnoticed, Costa has seen enough talent to identify who has the potential to succeed, irrespective of their background.
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What he revealed about the emerging players in the Isuzu UTE A-League should truly excite Australian football fans.
“That’s what surprised me the most here,” stated the 31-time Brazilian international.
“Before moving to Australia, I also spent time in the US with Major League Soccer, where I saw some promising young talent. But here, I was amazed at the level present. My advice to the youngsters is to venture overseas and discover how far they can go. In my opinion, the talents here are exceptional.”
When asked if any players have particularly impressed him this season, Costa pointed out three rising stars at Sydney FC he believes have bright futures ahead.
“These young lads are really humble and keen to better themselves, often seeking my advice,” he shared.
“I strive to assist them daily, and I value their perspectives as well. This mutual respect fosters our growth. I admire the talent here greatly.”
“Sega (Adrian Segecic), Tiago (Quintal), and Wataru (Kamijo) each have tremendous potential. They are truly remarkable players.”
He added: “They just need to learn when to play simply and understand the right timing for their moves.”
If any of those players at Sydney FC—or indeed any young player in the league—seek advice on making significant career moves, Costa is the right mentor.
In January 2010, the Brazilian left behind the sunny streets and vibrant culture of Porto Alegre to confront the harsh winters of Donetsk, Ukraine.
Once there, he found solace in a community of fellow Brazilians, including notable figures like Fernandinho, Willian, Luiz Adriano and Alex Teixeira, although adapting wasn’t a walk in the park.
Fortuitously, he soon became a fan favourite in Ukraine, which led to his transfer to Bayern Munich for a fee exceeding $55 million, during which time he earned numerous accolades with Shakhtar. His journey in the Donbass region now informs how he mentors younger players.
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“At that time, I was already joining the under-17 and 20 national teams, which allowed me to gauge my level and plan my next moves. However, going to Ukraine at just 19 was never in my plans.”
“Arriving there was incredibly challenging, especially with the winter snow—I was experiencing snow for the first time.”
“As I tell the young players here, making the right moves is sometimes essential. I arrived there and quickly understood the level of competition, participating in the Champions League.”
“That experience was pivotal for me. I spent five and a half years there before feeling I was ready to choose my next destination.”
Upon arriving in Sydney to much fanfare, comparisons were swiftly drawn to the arrival of Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero at the club back in 2012.
Despite his illustrious career boasting an extensive list of accolades, Costa admits that he initially found the adjustments at his new club somewhat daunting as he navigated the systems in place.
“The early days were challenging,” Costa declared when asked about the most challenging aspect of transitioning to the Isuzu UTE A-League.
“Having played my entire career as a winger, transitioning to a league where there’s a greater emphasis on running was quite the shift.”
“With help from (Ufuk Talay) and his team, we have been able to identify the best role for me as a central figure on the field.”
“Now, I believe we’ve settled into the right dynamic, allowing me to contribute to the team effectively.”
“The initial phase was tough because I had to overcome a couple of injuries, but I’ve returned and found my groove.”
“Adjusting to a new league and different play styles posed its challenges, but I’m gradually finding my feet.”
Alongside his innate talent, Costa’s vast experience in winning silverware will be invaluable for Ufuk Talay’s squad as they embark on the concluding stages of the season, vying for two prestigious trophies.
With a cabinet that proudly displays 22 major titles, including multiple Bundesliga and Serie A championships, Costa’s aspirations are set on adding two more trophies by early June, the first being the AFC Champions League Two title.
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The Sky Blues face a tough challenge ahead if they are to secure a home final, having suffered a 2-0 defeat against Singapore’s Lion City Sailors in the opening leg of their AFC Champions League Two semi-final.
After enduring the humid conditions in Singapore for the full match, Costa and his teammates now turn their focus to the critical encounter against league leaders Auckland FC this Saturday at Allianz Stadium, as they aim to secure a top-six finish before facing the Sailors again in the decisive second leg on Wednesday, April 16.
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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