Everaldo is in his third year since joining Antlers.
He is confident that he always gives his all, both in practice and in matches.
To dedicate all his strength to the victory of Antlers.
Draws and losses are no longer
acceptable.
──For Everaldo, this is the final stage of his third season in Japan.
"Of course, I will continue to give my all in every match from now on, but at this point, the Emperor's Cup is the tournament with the highest possibility of winning a title. I have to focus on the three matches from the quarterfinals onwards. In the league, we are in a good position, but the gap with league leaders Yokohama FM is wide. In the matches so far, Yokohama FM also had some matches where they missed out on a win. However, at a similar time, we also dropped points, and in the direct confrontation in the 23rd round, we suffered a defeat, so we couldn't close the gap as we wanted. But that is all in the past now. We will analyze and accept our performance so far and the reasons for our defeat in the direct confrontation, and we will continue to fight looking ahead. While respecting our opponents, we must win at all costs from now on. I strongly recognize that draws and losses are no longer acceptable."
──Having played as a member of Antlers for about two and a half years, what is your impression of the J.League?
"I believe that Japanese football has high intensity and dynamism. These two elements are demonstrated throughout the 90 minutes, and in the J.League, even if the score is 0-3, the losing team absolutely never gives up until the very end. Even if there are only 10 minutes left with a three-goal deficit, they continue to fight believing that they 'can still catch up to 3-3' or 'can come back to 4-3'. Their fighting spirit is very impressive, and it's a league where you can't let your guard down until the final whistle. Also, the technical level of Japanese players is very high. I have experience playing in Saudi Arabia. When considering Asia as a region, it is true that Saudi Arabian teams have achieved good results in the AFC Champions League in recent years, but in terms of the league as a whole, I believe that the J.League has a higher technical level of individual players and greater competitiveness among teams than the Saudi Professional League, which makes it more attractive."
──As mentioned earlier, Yokohama FM is currently leading the Meiji Yasuda J1 League this season.
"Yokohama FM has many players who have played together for a long time, and even if the manager changes, they seem to be strengthening the team while continuing the team's concept. Their wing players spread out wide to the sides, and the team also uses the width of the pitch effectively. Their combination play among players is excellent; they pass to each other and run to receive passes, trusting each other without needing to confirm their positions. These are not things that can be built in a day or two of practice; they are accumulated over many years. So, I sincerely praise the steady efforts of the Yokohama FM club. Given the remaining league matches and the point difference, it won't be easy to catch up with and overtake Yokohama FM, but as long as there's a possibility, we will continue to fight with all our might until the final match. We intend to approach our daily practices with a strong determination to win all remaining matches."
To our fans and supporters,
We want to bring joy and smiles.
──In his first year in Japan, the 2020 season, Everaldo scored 18 goals in the league and was selected for the J.League Best XI. Amid various options for his future in the following year, he clearly stated his strong desire to continue fighting as a member of Antlers.
"That's right. The feelings I had then, the thoughts I had then, remain in my heart unchanged even now, in the summer of 2022. Then, as now, I have unwavering dreams and desires: 'I want to fight for Antlers,' 'I want to give my all for Antlers,' 'I want to contribute to Antlers' victory.' To that end, I myself am working desperately every day to return to the form I was in during the 2020 season. I believe that the fans and supporters are also looking forward to and expecting a repeat of my play and performance from that time, and I approach my daily training believing that continued effort will definitely lead to results."
──Just like the fans and supporters, Yuma Suzuki is also anticipating Everaldo's "comeback." From the beginning of the season, he has been saying, "I want to help Ever-san quickly bring out his true potential," and in the 19th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Kashiwa, he entrusted the penalty kick he earned to Everaldo.
"Personally, I am truly full of gratitude for Yuma (Suzuki). At the same time, I am impressed by his leadership within the group and his constant actions with the team in mind. His statements and actions towards me are also behaviors that prioritize the team above all else. Especially for forwards like Yuma and me, I think there's a desire to stand out by scoring goals. His words and actions go beyond that desire, showing a mindset of putting the team first, and if I were in his position, I would also want to contribute to the team with such behavior. This isn't just about Yuma; it applies to all my teammates. Regardless of their position, the higher their physical and mental condition, the greater the team's competitiveness, and this daily healthy competition leads to the team's results. In the final stage of the season, I want to contribute to the team in that way as well. To add about Yuma, I believe he will continue to play a central role in the remaining matches this season, and there's no doubt that he will continue to be a representative player for Antlers for many years to come."
──In March, you returned to Brazil for treatment of an injury, but since your return in June, you have been increasing your playing time and goal count.
"There are no longer any problems with the condition of my injured area or my physical fitness. My concern is the 'match rhythm,' which is one of the important elements for a soccer player. To regain match rhythm, I need to continue playing in matches, and even in an official match, it's not as simple as recovering it with just 15 or 20 minutes of play. In the final stage of the season, I want to continue to work hard with the goal of increasing my playing time, even a little, and playing in matches consistently. Of course, the manager has the final say on player selection, so I intend to step onto the pitch thinking about what kind of play will contribute most to Antlers, depending on the given timing and the match situation at that moment."
──In terms of conditioning, isn't it also difficult to cope with the intense heat of summer in Japan?
"Between cold and heat, I'm more adept at cold, but I'm not bothered at all by a certain amount of heat. However, Japan's summer has much higher humidity than temperature, and I find it very difficult to adapt to that unique heat. Especially in August, even in the morning, it's not an ideal environment for outdoor practice. So, from late July when the intense heat began, I immediately take a shower after practice and relax in an air-conditioned room when I get home. I absolutely don't go out during the day anymore (laughs). This might be a similar feeling for everyone living in Japan, but I feel that this year's Japanese summer is hotter than the past two years I've experienced."
──What are you working on to score more goals in more matches moving forward?
"Practice is everything, and I especially feel that goals are the fruit of practice. As a forward, I deeply pursue ways and patterns to score goals, and I adjust the fine details by discussing with midfielders and defenders. As a forward, how many through passes I receive and how many crosses are delivered directly relates to my role, which is to score goals. In that regard, I am convinced that if we synchronize our breathing with my teammates more in the upcoming matches, we will receive better balls, so I want to time our plays together during practice. Also, regarding finishing ability, after team practice, I repeatedly practice shooting individually to increase the probability of scoring. I believe that refining the team's form while continuously improving my individual abilities will lead to goals."
──In June, a "Voice Support Operation Verification Match" was held at Kashima Stadium. How did you feel the presence of Antlers fans and supporters on the pitch?
"The second leg of the YBC Levain Cup Playoff Stage against Fukuoka, where voice support was partially allowed, was truly moving for me as a football player. I once again realized the immense power of the fans and supporters. Regardless of the match or the time, we players fight with all our heart and soul. However, as football players, we are also human, so there are times when our legs feel heavy or we are breathless and struggling. At such times, hearing chants from the stands or the cheers of everyone instantly flips a switch in my heart. A surge of 'I still have to fight' and 'Let's fight even harder' erupts, and before I know it, a strong fighting spirit fills my heart. This feeling is even stronger at home, and the presence or absence of your cheers makes a huge difference to the players. I feel that simply saying 'a huge difference' doesn't adequately express my feelings, but I want everyone to recognize that the cheers and presence of the fans and supporters are incredibly important to the players, and I hope you will continue to cheer for Antlers."
──The fans and supporters are also looking forward to Everaldo's performance in the final stage of the season.
"I am sincerely grateful to the fans and supporters who believe in my success and are waiting for it, and I pledge to work hard every day to meet their expectations. Since returning to the lineup, there have been moments where I could show the results of my efforts, but I still need to demonstrate evidence of my efforts and my abilities for a longer, more sustained period. With that image in mind, I will spare no effort and give my all for Antlers. It is unacceptable for the club, and of course for the fans and supporters, that Antlers has been without a title for so long. Especially since I believe the fans and supporters have experienced many frustrating and sad moments in recent years, I am determined to win a title this season and be the first to bring joy and smiles to everyone. I believe this will be a way to repay everyone who has supported us so far, and for the club, it will be an encouragement and confidence for the future. Therefore, I ask for your continued support for Antlers."
