Q. Please tell us the background behind your decision to join at this timing.
A. First of all, I am happy to have been able to join this club. I made the decision to join in a very short time after receiving the offer. Since it was an offer from Tokyo, which I considered a big team in the J1 League, I decided immediately without any hesitation.
Q, When did you receive the official offer from Tokyo?
A, It was a last-minute, rushed decision that was finalized on August 20. The time limit to decide was extremely short. I officially accepted the offer and headed to Tokyo by the evening. I didn’t even have time to pack leisurely; I just took my essential gear—my cleats and two or three sets of clothes—and boarded the plane (laughs). It was a hectic day, but I believe I made the right decision without any doubt. My family was also very happy.
Q, What impression do you have of the team Tokyo or the city itself?
A, I have never played against them in the J.League myself, and I am not very familiar with them, but at the time I received the offer, I heard about the size of the team, the cityscape of Tokyo, and the passion of the fans and supporters, and without any hesitation, I decided to play in Tokyo.
Q. You immediately participated in training, didn’t you?
A. I arrived in Tokyo yesterday and started training today. I wanted to join the full team practice as soon as possible, and by playing together from the training, I hoped to deepen communication quickly. I feel that I was able to show my teammates the best possible play during today’s practice, and it was a day with many very positive aspects.
Q. Please tell us about your strong points.
A. I want you to see my play when I’m at full speed. Of course, the speed at which I advance during attacks, but also the speed of my press back and transitions during defense.
Q. You have experienced difficult times in the past two months when you couldn’t participate in matches. What kind of mindset did you maintain during those days?
A. There was a time when I was playing in matches and contributing to the team, but the coach changed midway through this season, my playing time decreased, and I also experienced days when I couldn’t even travel with the match squad. Especially during these past two months, it was a very tough situation, but regardless of whether I played or not, I was always thinking about ways to contribute to the team, hoping that my positive actions and words would be a plus for the team.
Q. It feels like you have built up a tremendous amount of energy in preparation for your debut in Tokyo.
A. Absolutely. I also have the frustration of not being able to play. I want to play as soon as possible, and I want to firmly seize the opportunity I have been given. And I want to contribute to the team through my play and results so that everyone involved with the club will recognize me.
Q, The fans and supporters in Tokyo are also looking forward to Marcos Guilherme's play.
A, I want them to see me running hard and contributing to the team with play that takes advantage of my speed. I don't know the details, but I have heard that many Brazilian players have played a symbolic role for Tokyo in the past. I want to fight passionately so that I can also leave my name among them.
First of all, I want to promise to always give 100 percent and fight through no matter what. The reason I fight is for the team's victory, and above all, for the fans and supporters. I will fight tirelessly to bring victory closer.
