During the international break, Melbourne Victory captain Roderick Miranda engaged in an exclusive interview with Flashscore Australia as the club gears up for its final five matches of the regular season.
Roderick Miranda, captain of Melbourne Victory, boasts a remarkable career that kicked off at the Benfica academy, included a showdown in the Under-20 FIFA World Cup final against stars such as Philippe Coutinho and Danilo, and features stints in the FA Cup, La Liga, and the Europa League, among others. However, halfway across the globe in Australia, the soon-to-be 34-year-old has carved out a home for himself and his family.
As he approaches his 100th first-team appearance across all competitions for Victory—a crucial match in their quest for a spot in the postseason—Roderick took a moment to reflect on a professional career spanning 15 years, which shows no signs of slowing down.
Some might suggest that the international break was well-timed for the club following a string of disappointing results in the last six rounds. Has this week off served as a reset for those players not away on national duty?
“It’s always beneficial to have some time to recharge both physically and mentally, allowing everyone to regroup as we head into the final stretch of the season. Everyone feels fresh and optimistic about the upcoming derby (against Adelaide).
“Some players were away (on national duty), so it can be challenging to ensure everyone is aligned in focus. A lot has transpired in these past two weeks.”
Has there been much discussion around the club regarding Ryan Teague’s international debut for Australia this week and Nishan Velupillay’s involvement in both World Cup Qualifiers for the Socceroos? Did you manage to catch any of those matches?
“Absolutely, we share our little inside jokes, and everyone is thrilled for Teague-y and Nish—along with Daniel Arzani. Now that everyone is back together, that’s the priority. Our (Australia Under-23) lads returned today, so we have a full squad and are more than ready to take on Adelaide.”
Do you envision players like Ryan Teague, Nishan Velupillay, and Daniel Arzani starting this weekend, or will they be gradually eased back into club football?
“That’s ultimately up to the coaching staff. We need to assess how they’re feeling, especially after such long trips and significant time differences. But with everyone back, we’ll leave those decisions to the coaches.”
You represented Portugal at various youth levels, including an under-20 World Cup. Do you reflect on these international breaks with any regret for not breaking into the senior squad? Were you close to achieving that?
“I was quite close in 2017. I found myself on the provisional list for the Confederations Cup and was one of the last names cut from it. After that, I was frequently in the conversation for the national team over the next year to year-and-a-half. Unfortunately, my debut never materialised, but that’s football for you. Sometimes opportunities arise, and sometimes they don’t.
“I’ve moved beyond that now. Portugal has such a brilliant new generation coming through, so I believe the national team is in excellent hands.”
Last week, you mentioned that the club ‘needs to reflect on ourselves’. What does that entail for planning and actions? What has head coach Arthur Diles been focusing on during this break to secure a spot in the top six?
“We want all players to take accountability and demand more from one another. We know the quality within our squad, which is evident to the critics as well. Perhaps we aren’t living up to expectations, and we’ve certainly felt that. We should be performing at a higher level and achieving better results.
“We need to identify how each player can improve their overall contributions for the entire match, as having a strong five-minute spell isn’t helpful. We need to ensure we deliver a solid performance for the full 90 minutes every week.”
Although the football has at times been better than the results suggest, losses to Western Sydney, Newcastle, and Adelaide have stemmed from short 15-minute lapses where the team was outplayed. What, if anything, can a football manager and a captain do between matches to address that?
“It’s largely a mental challenge. We know we can’t afford to switch off during matches because every team raises their game against Melbourne Victory; they always give that extra 150 percent.
“It’s vital to maintain our focus, as every opportunity we create or concede is a potential threat. That’s where our focus lies at the moment.”
You have now played more first-team games for Victory than any other club in your 15-year career. What is it about Victory, the city of Melbourne, and Australia that has encouraged you to stay for so long?
“I was warmly welcomed when I first arrived here. The fans, in particular, made my family and me feel right at home. When you start having kids, your decisions revolve more around family. My children have settled in beautifully and consider Melbourne their home now, which makes it harder for me to consider returning to Portugal or anywhere else.
“When it’s just you or you and your partner, making decisions based on money or exposure is simpler. However, with a family, you need to take more time to evaluate what’s best for them. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for Melbourne Victory, and since my family feels settled here, we’ve been working to make it a long-term arrangement. That’s likely why I’ve been here for a few seasons.”
If things continue as planned, could you envisage finishing your playing career in the A-League?
“That’s a question I get quite a bit. I wouldn’t mind staying in Australia to embark on the next chapter of my life once I retire. However, predicting the future in this environment is always tricky.”
What surprised you about playing and living in Australia, whether positively or negatively, both on and off the field? What were the most challenging and easiest aspects of adapting to life and work here?
“The most challenging component was the distance, particularly in keeping in touch with everyone. It’s not just the miles; the time difference complicates things, making it tough to connect with friends and family in Europe.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the competitiveness of the league. In Europe, it wasn’t widely known back in the day. It seems to be gaining exposure now, but back then, it was quite anonymous. I was surprised by how every team could compete against one another.
“The lifestyle in Melbourne is superb. It’s an incredible city with always something happening, and the people here are incredibly friendly. I was genuinely surprised by all of this.”
Did you consult anyone about playing in Australia before deciding to move to Melbourne?
“No, not at all. Australia has always been my dream travel destination. I’m not sure why, maybe from some images I saw when I was younger, but it’s always been on my mind. So when the opportunity arose, I had a lot to consider regarding distance and family, but I’m really pleased with my decision.”
Have any players reached out to you about playing in Australia, perhaps considering making a move or seeking offers?
“Some have messaged me regarding life and football here, and how everything operates. However, with only five foreign players allowed in an A-League team, the opportunities are limited.”
What about your former Portugal teammate Nuno Reis? You both arrived around the same time, and he ended up playing for Melbourne City for three years. Did you manage to connect while he was here?
“He was living nearer to where Melbourne City trains in the northern suburbs. I played alongside him a lot in the academies and the underage Portugal teams and faced him often, given that I was at Benfica and he was at Sporting. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to spend time together here.”
Let’s rewind to 2000, a quarter of a century ago! How was a nine-year-old Roderick Miranda discovered by the Benfica youth academy?
“I was playing for my local team as a striker, scoring numerous goals in each match, and I was notably taller than the other kids in my under-10 age group.
“A former Benfica scout who played locally with my dad was watching me but was unaware I was my dad’s son. He mentioned to my father that he was keen on this nine-year-old player (me) he had observed. They had a conversation, and he persuaded my father to send me for trials at Benfica. Sporting had already shown interest, presenting me with trials as well. A month later, I trialled with Benfica, they liked what they saw, and I remained there until making my professional debut.”
How did your father, as an ex-footballer, feel about you pursuing a football career over school and other interests at such a young age?
“It felt natural, as my older brother was also a footballer. He faced a significant injury around 16-17, which prevented him from reaching the professional level, causing him to explore other avenues.
“In Australia, children have incredible opportunities to play various sports, but in Portugal, it was just football—nothing else. All my friends played football, and everyone in school was into it, and I was fortunate to have some skill.
“Benfica had an exceptional academy that played a vital role in shaping me into a better player.”
Some of our readers might not be aware of your connections to the Premier League through former teammates and coaches. Do you have any memories of training and playing alongside Ruben Amorim at Benfica?
“I never imagined he would transition into coaching! Not that I doubted his football talent or intelligence, but because he was always the prankster in the changing room, always doing something goofy to make others laugh. When I learned he had become a coach, I was a bit surprised, wondering how the person I’d played with could turn so serious!
“He was a very clever player, capable of playing various positions, which may explain why he’s an outstanding coach with a rich understanding of the game.”
You played under Nuno Espírito Santo at both Rio Ave and Wolves, and he’s now guiding Nottingham Forest back to the UEFA Champions League after their third season in the top flight. It’s difficult to follow the Premier League closely from Australia, but do you have thoughts on his achievements with Forest? Is there anything about their current play that you recognise from your time spent under him?
“I’m not particularly surprised; I always knew he had the talent. If he assembles the right players and nurtures the right atmosphere, he’s a coach capable of delivering remarkable outcomes.
“During my time at Wolves, we had a few seasons where we finished sixth or seventh (seventh in both 2018/19 and 2019/20) and secured a Europa League spot, demonstrating what he can achieve. So, it’s not a massive surprise for me, even for a club like Nottingham which hasn’t enjoyed a top status historically.”
Anyone who checks your Wikipedia profile will find the intriguing title “Knight of the Order of Prince Henry”, or “Cavaleiro da Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique” in Portuguese. This unusual phrase refers to an award you received from the Portuguese President for finishing as runners-up in the 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia. What are your recollections about that experience?
“It’s a special honour bestowed by the Portuguese President on individuals who accomplish something for the country. We reached the final against Brazil in 2011 when nobody expected us to. Our matches weren’t televised in Portugal until after the group stages, but we managed to navigate through to the knockout rounds, yet no one paid attention until it reached the quarter-finals.
“Eventually, they sent a channel to cover our games in Portugal, albeit very late at night (around two or three in the morning), but as soon as they aired, people began to follow our story. There had been great teams in the past with players like Luis Figo and Rui Costa, yet we made it to the final, ultimately losing to Brazil with Oscar scoring twice.
“The way we represented Portugal resonated with the President (Aníbal Cavaco Silva), prompting him to honour us—a moment that will stick with us forever.”
Was that experience before or after your loan to Servette in Switzerland? Was it your first time playing abroad?
“That was prior to my loan. While I had taken part in some overseas tournaments, that was my first experience on ‘the big stage’.”
Regardless of the significance of the game in terms of finals contention, it must be a privilege to lead the team out against what many consider to be Melbourne Victory’s biggest rival (Adelaide), especially as it marks the club’s third annual Pride Cup match this weekend. We regretfully heard from Adelaide’s Josh Cavallo last week about the death threats he faces since his brave coming out. What does it mean to you to be part of a club and a league that advocate for inclusion and diversity in football, especially when many other leagues are still grappling with issues like homophobia?
“Personally, this should not even be a topic. I will always instil in my kids the importance of treating everyone as you’d wish to be treated yourself.
“Regarding (Josh) Cavallo, it’s disheartening that he receives death threats for living his truth. It’s irrelevant to anyone else. His coming out didn’t affect my life or that of anyone else’s; if anything, it might encourage others to open up about their own lives, but ultimately, it’s his journey.
“It’s critical for the A-League to promote respect and equality. Homophobia should not exist. This is about our community living together and respecting one another. It’s commendable that both the club and the league are part of this initiative.
“I believe Victory is doing a fantastic job of advocating for equality and respect. While altering some mindsets can be challenging, I hope this serves to enlighten or educate some people on the reality that we’re all quite alike.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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