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Marqunhos Xavier has showered Falcao in salute. The Brazil coach and pivot Ferrao took time out from preparing for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ to appear on the Charla Podcast.
Falcao illuminated the sport with his extraterrestrial skills. The winger inspired Brazil to FIFA Futsal World Cup glory in 2008 and 2012, and remains the tournament’s all-time leading marksman, with 48 goals in 34 appearances. Marquinhos Xavier took over the Seleção in 2017, as Falcao was nearing the end of his international career.
“I had the privilege to work with him when I took charge of the Seleção, in his last year,” the 50-year-old, a published author, told co-hosts Bruno Cantarelli and Beto Junior. “Unfortunately I wanted him earlier, because he would have helped me win some things (laughs). Like he helped many others.
“There are times when a coach, on the bench, just prays and the player goes and pulls off something different. He did things out of nothing, really sensory things. He noticed something that no-one else noticed and pulled things off.
“He began to have a great deal of confidence. I think the guy upstairs helped him a lot. He should be very grateful. He did things and they came off. You’d see him do things, movements in training and you’d be like, ‘My God in heaven’. He was perfection.
“Nowadays you see him doing these challenges. It’s real. He could be at the back court, [shooting] at a basketball hoop. He shoots it and it goes in at the first attempt. For anyone else, you’d give them ten balls, hope it comes off, edit the video. He’s capable of doing it with the first attempt.”
Marquinhos refused to be drawn on whether Falcao or Manoel Tobias was better, but Ferrao was unequivocal when asked if he was the greatest player of all time.
“For me, yes,” said the adidas Golden Boot winner at Lithuania 2021. “Because of the whole history he built. Firstly, he had a winning mentality. Then, in important moments, finals, he always scored spectacular goals.
“I think it’s down to various factors – titles, statistics – that you can’t take away. Lenisio was my idol, but in my opinion the greatest of all time was Falcao.
“[Ricardinho] was a really good player, but for me Falcao was much greater. They were different players. Ricardinho was very complete, physically strong.
“Ricardinho himself, his idol was Falcao. For you to see that Falcao was greater, Ricardinho has a tattoo of Falcao.”
‘O Mágico’ propelled Portugal to their first FIFA Futsal World Cup crown three years ago, winning the adidas Golden Ball in the process, before retiring from international futsal.
Ferrao recently told FIFA he “was a little scared” he wouldn’t make Brazil’s squad for Uzbekistan, having barely played in 18 months. The world’s three-time Best Player believes they will lift the trophy in Tashkent on 6 October.
“I’m very confident,” he said. “We have a great squad. Preparations have been going really well. Every player, every member of the coaching staff, is fully focussed on us returning to the top of the podium. We can’t let this title escape us again.”
