Rony Lopes Interview: “I Think That One Of Manchester City’s Secrets Is…”

Esporte Interativo, a hugely popular Brazilian TV channel, recently conducted an interview with Manchester City’s talented Academy prospect, Marcos ‘Rony’ Lopes. You can read the interview in Portuguese here, here and here but thanks to Esporte Interativo and in particular Otavio Rodrigues, the journalist who spoke at length with Lopes, I was given to permission to translate the interview and publish it on this blog. Enjoy!

Esporte Interativo: What was the start of your career like in Poiares? Was it there where the name Rony came from?

Rony Lopes: I began to play football for fun at my local club, as all children do, and the nickname Rony appeared shortly afterwards. The name arose because I always used to train with a Brazil shirt with ‘Ronaldo 9′ on the back and so the other kids began to call me Ronaldo, but my first trainer thought that was too lengthy and he started to call me Rony. That caught on quickly and even today, that’s still how I’m known!

EI: How did you know about Ronaldo? Was it by seeing him on TV, or by watching videos, or did your father used to talk about him when you were little? How did this idolisation of the Brazilian begin?

RL: My first memories of Ronaldo are from the World Cup in 2002. I clearly remember the goal that he scored in the final against Germany and the party my dad held as Brazil were crowned champions! After I started watching a couple of videos on YouTube, he quickly became an idol for me.

EI: Has Ronaldo continued to be your hero to the present day or has that changed?

RL: It’s difficult to choose an idol at the moment. I think it’s more normal to have a hero when you’re a child! When he was playing, Ronaldo was, without doubt, an idol but now I tend to closely follow Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Lionel Messi because of what they represent in the footballing world.

EI: Which of Cristiano Ronaldo’s characteristics impresses you the most?

RL: Above all, Cristiano Ronaldo is a model, an example of professionalism and success through work. He allies his technical qualities perfectly with a great mental strength which helps him to have a sensible and exemplary life.

EI: For you, is it possible to decide who was better – Ronaldo, the Brazilian, or Cristiano Ronaldo? And why? Why is one above the other?

RL: I think that comparing them is difficult. I’d say that each one was the best of his era and I’d prefer to stop there with regards to any comparison!

EI: Speaking a little more about Portugal, the country where you grew up, matured and created a strong bond… what is it like to be considered one of the main hopes for Portuguese football in the future?

RL: Obviously it’s something to be proud of, but above all it’s a huge responsibility. It’s nice to know that I’m an inspiration for some youngsters and, above anything else, that motivates me to want to accomplish more. I know that I’m in a very initial stage of my career and despite the fact that everything is going very well, I’ll have to work very hard to move from a ‘hope’ to a ‘certainty’.

EI: Which team has a place in your heart? Is it Benfica, for whom you played for five years, or will you surprise us?

RL: Of course Benfica is imprinted on me because of all the years I spent there. I evolved greatly as a player and matured a lot as a person there, and I left with many friends and good memories. Now, I’ve been at Manchester City for a few years, I really understand the history of the club and everyone treats me very well, so because of that I feel 100% like a Blue.

EI: And in Brazil, do you support any team? I found out that your advisor is a Flamengo fan…

RL: That’s right, but my advisor has a problem with my dad because he supports Vasco! I admit that in Brazil, I felt a special affection for Santos – with Diego and Robinho. That was a very special team. Nowadays, however, I couldn’t say that I support any specific club in Brazil.

EI: I want you to comment a little on the controversy involving Brazil, Portugal and yourself, Rony. You play for Portugal youth teams, but you’re still able to represent Brazil. The Portuguese press fear that for the first time they could lose a player to their colony since the selectors of the Brazilian squad keep an eye on your performances. What will be your decision?

RL: Yes, many things have been said and written about the possibility that, one day, I could play for Portugal or Brazil. Naturally, I feel happy to be considered a potential player for the top sides in the world, and I know that if I have to choose at some point, it will be very difficult. Part of my family is Brazilian and I was born in Belém (Brazil) but the truth is that I moved to Portugal when I was very young, I grew up there and that’s where I became a footballer. Portugal provided everything for my family and me so that we could progress and I’ve played in the Portuguese youth teams for several years. If there are any values in which I believe, they would be humility and gratitude, so because of that… I’m sure that I would make one part of my family very happy if, one day, I were to wear the Brazilian colours, but you never know. The future belongs to God and I’m only going to concentrate on working hard each day to make myself a better player.

EI: Moving on to matters on the pitch, how would you define your style of play? With Brazilian players, your style is reminiscent of Sávio, the ex Flamengo and Real Madrid player. In Europe, when you play on the right, your style is similar to that of Arjen Robben, with the difference being that you use your right foot more…

RL: Above all, I try to be myself and not copy anyone else. I feel praised when I’m compared to players like Sávio and Robben, but I look to be original and help my teams with my own style. I greatly value the team’s play and the strict tactics of Europe, and I look to combine speed and intelligence to create instability in the opposition.

EI: Talking about Manchester City, what was it like to make your professional debut and score your first goal with your first touch of the ball?

RL: It was my third touch! It was an immense joy – it would be hard for my debut to have been any better. I played for a little over five minutes and I managed to become the youngest goalscorer of all time in Manchester City’s history so that means I was extremely happy.

EI: In your second game, against Wigan in September 2013, you were applauded as you came off the pitch in the second half. How did you feel about that?

RL: That was a really rewarding moment. I was happy because of the fact that the fans has demonstrated their affection and confidence in me with that ovation. It was spine-tingling and gave me lots of strength to continue working.

EI: Against West Ham [in the Capital One Cup], you had two big moments, two assists and you received the man of the match award. Are you able to deal with the expectation that comes with the type of football City fans want to see?

RL: That game was also good for me. I supplied two assists, the team played well and won comfortably. It was my second start for City and I made the most of the opportunity to show what I could do. I know that the City fans have put much faith in me, they send me many messages on Twitter and Facebook and every time I go on the pitch, I’m looking to repay that faith.

EI: You have featured in some of City’s Capital One Cup games this season. Do you dream of playing in the final on the hallowed turf of Wembley? Are you able to control your nerves?

RL: Above all else, I’m looking to stay calm and deal with everything that happens around me in the most natural way possible. The anticipation of being able to contest a final, shortly to be played at Wembley, obviously makes me happy, but I’m trying to remain calm and work every day to make my dream come true. God willing, everything goes right.

EI: Do you think you deserve to play in the final or will you understand it if Manuel Pellegrini does not select you for the game against Sunderland?

RL: Happily, I play at a club which has a squad with a higher-than-normal quality. I play and train every day with the best players in the world and I’m aware that I need to work very hard to have an opportunity to show my worth. Mr Pellegrini and Mr Vieira know me very well, so because of that I have to accept their decisions. Whoever wants to play us can, but rest assured that at City finals are for winning.

EI: In the current team at City, which player in an inspiration for you, whose personality mirrors yours and the style of football played?

RL: It’s a very difficult question… but I’ll try to respond. I like Fernandinho, Sergio Aguero and David Silva off the pitch as much as on it. They are simple people, friends, laidback and, above all, very intelligent. I work hard so that one day I can reach their levels.

EI: Are you accustomed to taking set-pieces with Yaya Touré, currently one of the best free-kick exponents?

RL: I don’t compete with him yet because I know for certain that I would lose! He’s a genuine monster, everything he hits ends up in the net. I have been working on free-kicks and penalties on my own and I’ve got a private competition going with Joe Hart. At the moment, I’m winning…

EI: What is it like to learn from and interact with the stars at City? The squad is one of the best around, these days. How do you manage to make the most of that?

RL: The best thing is that I’m treated like one of them. I don’t get any special type of treatment or more care taken because I’m younger than the majority of the group. When it’s time to work, we work. When it’s time to have some fun, we have some fun. I think that’s one of City’s secrets: team spirit and the excellent atmosphere in the changing room.

EI: Are you the type of player who finds solutions on the pitch or do you look to dedicate yourself to the maximum in training by observing those who are more experienced? What do you think about these two distinct types of footballer?

RL: I know that I will only reach my targets by training as I play and by playing as I train, so because of that I look to absorb as much as possible. I think all the best players are like that.

EI: Do you hope to carve out your career at the club who has the world’s spotlight trained on them, or do you plan on playing in another big European league, or even for one of the large Portuguese teams?

RL: My thoughts are only about City, obviously. It’s a great club, one that fights to win the best league in the world and with clear objectives in the Champions League. I know I’m at the top and I want to continue here.

EI: Do you think that playing in Brazil would be a good challenge for your career? Which team would be your preference?

RL: The Brazilian Championship has grown a lot over the last few years. More and more games are being broadcast in Europe and there is more information available about the clubs and Brazilian players. As for playing there, it’s still early to be making predictions. One day, who knows?

EI: What has been your standout moment so far at City?

RL: Obviously, when I scored a goal on my debut, that was a special moment. A night I will never forget.

EI: Apart from that strike, what has been the most beautiful goal you’ve scored for the Blues?

RL: Fortunately, I’ve scored various goals and some have been good! Against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Youth League, I especially liked my second goal.

EI: Finally, what is your dream as a footballer?

RL: I try to have big dreams, but I want to reach those dreams every time. I have an ambition to collect the largest number of titles possible and, above all, to win a huge international competition for my club and for my national team.

Thanks once again to Esporte Interativo and Otavio Rodrigues for allowing me to translate their interview, and feel free to leave a comment below about anything Rony has said!

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