Futsal world cup: mercurial Merlim points to stars of the future
Alex Merlim, the Italy and Sporting CP wing wizard, points out the youngsters he feels could shine in Uzbekistan at a tournament that ‘will not be complete’ due to Italy's absence Photograph: LND Calcio a 5
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ALEX MERLIM is 38 years young. The Sporting CP and Italy winger’s unique skillset will be missing from the roll call of individuals adorning the big stage in Uzbekistan after Gli Azzurri failed to qualify.
But as a boy originally from Douradas in Brazil who has shone at two World Cup finals with Italy and won it all in Portugal over a stellar period under the tutelage of Nuno Dias at Sporting CP, he’s now uniquely placed to offer a view on the biggest games and names on the planet.
Known affectionately as Babalu due to a love of Bubbaloo chewing gum as a boy, the wing wizard opens up to futsalstreetspot.com all about his journey from South America to Europe and his childhood inspirations.
For years, he’s dazzled on court as the personification of unpredictability with the ball at his feet, dominating in 1v1 situations on the left wing. For evidence of his verstatilty, see this classic right-foot finish after cutting inside, this one after feinting back out, this beguiling feint-to-shoot and assist, this sublime DIY dribble and finish, this left-footed strike, and, to show he’s not just a 101-trick pony, this imperious instant steal and counter-attack goal from 35 metres.
However, the master of deception broke new ground for futsalstreetspot.com by agreeing to be predictable. For once.
Yes, the arch-creator put his sole on the ball, looked up and cast his expert eye over the present stars and young pretenders looking to become the future icons of the 40x20 court – and made some bold predictions.
In his own words, the 2012 World Cup bronze medallist reveals:
His childhood inspiration with a ball at his feet
Motivation and success as a 38-year-old veteran
The true ‘honour’ of being ‘chosen’ to represent Italy
The young stars he expects to shine brightest in Uzbekistan
Why Video Support needs to be challenged
The tactics that could prove decisive in the finals
Alex Merlim’s Story
Futsal or football as a boy?
I grew up in Brazil and played futsal and football since I was a child. I’ve always liked both. My first experience in futsal was when I joined the adult team at 14 years old.
I actually didn’t have good opportunities to play football. At that age, I had a scholarship to a great private school in Brazil and that’s why I continued playing futsal.
My inspiration as a player
In my childhood in Brazil, there was one player – he was about five years older than me – who inspired me in all sorts of ways. He didn’t get to play professionally, but Rodrigo Campos is a phenomenon. A real inspiration for me, especially with some of my techniques on the ball. I learned so much from him. It's a shame he couldn’t get to play professionally for big teams.
“I chose Italy because, in fact, Italy chose me. I have Italian descent. My grandparents came to flee the war”
My playing success and motivation
I won everything in Italy, and also in Portugal. Even in the Italian team I feel happy and fulfilled.
As for my motivation, it comes from within. That's the way I am.
Very competitive and I don’t know how to do anything unwillingly. As long as I’m at a high level, with my mind and body keeping up, I'll be giving my 100%.
Some people question how I still play with this ambition and am where I am, in fact there is a prejudice. I think some people can’t quite accept it because they are not used to seeing players at 38 still at a high level.
Choosing Italy over Brazil
I chose Italy because, in fact, Italy chose me. I have Italian descent. My grandparents came to flee the war and I had contact and familiarity with them since I was little.
So, in fact, I was chosen either by my family or by my parents. I feel honoured.
Today I see my son, André, he’s nine and plays futsal and soccer here in Lisbon.
He is in the Sporting futsal team. But if he’s a player when he’s older, will have the opportunity to choose or be chosen by three countries if he is a player.
And he has a very strong connection to all three countries. One I was born in, another has blood descendants and another where I grew up and have trained.
For me it is a reason for honour.
I am against the pressure of an exclusive selection. If we really see Portugal, many of my colleagues were not born in Portugal.
I believe that they, like me, feel honoured to have been chosen to defend a country that welcomed them so much.
Uzbekistan 2024
Why the World Cup will not be complete
This is true. Not having Italy is missing a part of futsal history. Unfortunately.
Italy has started its renewal though. I was part of the beginning of this project and I believe in the future of it. I hope for an increasingly competitive Italy starting with the country's championship itself and especially training.
The base category is vital. Without a strong base, it will be very difficult to remain in competitions over the years.
On my future after playing and potentially coaching
I’m not thinking about it at the moment because my mind is still focused on my professional career, but I have a special affection for youth development. With my experience I could help this category grow.
“The secret to Portugal’s success in recent years? It’s having the Sporting CP team at its base”
My Fifa futsal World Cup memories
I appeared in two. The 2012 world cup was the most important because we came away as third-place medallists. I’m very proud, I have incredible memories of this year. It was a spectacular year for me as a player and for the Italian team.
In Colombia 2016 we left early but deserved more. We had a good chance of being notable again but we made some mistakes. I’m a very competitive athlete and every competition I’m willing to compete in I give my best.
Predictions for Uzbekistan
The teams to watch
I’m looking forward to seeing the games of my teammates in Portugal and others who played for Sporting and represent other national teams. I think the secret to Portugal’s success over the last few years is having the Sporting CP team at its base.
Who will lift the trophy on October 6th?
It’s incredibly difficult to make predictions at this level because many countries are becoming more competitive. Over the years many teams have grown, for example Morocco, so I believe all the favourites will be there in the quarter-finals. After that, as I say, it’s too difficult to predict a winner.
Zicky Té and Tomas Paço. Merlim says both youngsters have ‘grown a lot in a short time’ Photograph: Instagram
As for the the individual accolades...
Golden ball (MVP)?
Zicky Té of Portugal
Golden shoe (top scorer)?
Sorry, but I can’t predict this one
Golden glove (best goalkeeper)?
Guitta of Brazil
Potential stars of the tournament
Since we are talking about “potential”, we mean young players. And some of my Portuguese young colleagues have grown a lot during their short careers so far, particularly Zicky and Tomás Paco. Elsewhere, we must not forget the Mamadou Touré of Barcelona and France and another Portuguese youngster, Benfica’s Lúcio Jr.
Technical or tactical trends that could prove decisive
Nowadays the 4 on 4 game is difficult and complicated. So I believe set pieces and transitions will make the difference.
At the end of the game the goalkeeper makes a big impact too, whether defensive or offensive.
“The 4 on 4 game is complicated. I believe that set pieces and transitions will make the difference in the World Cup”
The Future Game
The thing I would like to change in futsal
I would remove the Video Support. For me, VS should be used to clarify whether there was a goal or not. I just can’t understand how using it in the middle of a game is justifiable in a contact sport like futsal.
The novelty that we are talking about in futsal at the moment is the “kick-throw-in”, for which the player would have the choice of playing it by hand or with his feet, seems interesting. It could also be applied to football.
The federation leading the way as examples for countries such as England, where the game has huge potential for growth
A simple answer: Portugal.
Finally, an invitation …
I want to invite the Olympics committee to watch futsal because for so many years it has been a high-level sport and fully deserving of a place in the Olympics.
I want to state clearly that futsal is an incredible sport which is the basis of many other sports, particularly for the skillset of players who play football.
If you missed them:
• World Cup 2024 game-changers series: 1) The history-maker, Jorge Braz
• World Cup 2024 game-changers series: 2) The legacy-builder, Pierre Jacky
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