Redefining the "jogo bonito"

Punctuality is probably the virtue that is most often associated with Germans – but less so with Brazilians. In South America's largest country, time arrangements for meetings are often more of a guideline – a habit that Arthur Chaves cannot warm to at all. And so, in an almost typically German fashion, he turns up to his first interview with SPIELFELD three minutes before the agreed time. "It drives me crazy in Brazil when people are not punctual. I love that about Germany," he said.

Generally speaking, he has little in common with the many Brazilians who have worn the TSG shirt before him. No bling-bling or fancy tattoos like Carlos Eduardo or Roberto Firmino. His seriousness and his earnestness have been part of his character since birth. "The grandfather of my mum was from Germany," said Chaves, explaining: "My mother's surname was Zimmermann up until she married my father." Even if he no longer has the craftsman's trade in his name ("Zimmermann means "carpenter" in English), Arthur Chaves is someone who understands his own craft. After making his first appearances, the 23-year-old was praised by coaches, team-mates and the media alike for his resolute and straightforward style of play. "It is always my goal to win the ball back as quickly as possible," said Chaves, who has his own personal definition of the "beautiful game", the "jogo bonito". "I play it simple because that's what helps the team the most."

"My father always said: 'Someone needs to do the dirty work.'"

But the defender, whose role models include the former Leverkusen and Bayern player Lucio, never aspired to fulfil a more attacking role anyway. "The furthest forward I ever played as a child was in central midfield," said Chaves with a smile. But the more attacking positions did not really suit his nature either. "My father always said: "Someone needs to do the dirty work.' And that's how I see it too, I do it with great pleasure."

He proved that he does at least have some goalscoring instinct against 1. FC Nürnberg in the DFB-Pokal, when his headed goal secured progression to the next round. "That was a special moment for me, my father was here on a visit and saw me at the stadium in Germany for the first time." In January, his mother will make the long journey from his home in Florianópolis via São Paulo and Frankfurt, and the central defender would have no objections to scoring again in front of a loved one. The goal against the Franconians was the final proof that Arthur Chaves has arrived at TSG. His debut, when he was substituted on for the injured Tim Drexler just a quarter of an hour into the match in Stuttgart, came unexpectedly for him. ‘I didn't have any time to think about it or worry about it. I was more nervous during the games in which I started, but in Stuttgart I just put on my shirt quickly and went onto the pitch." Since making his debut, he has played in numerous other matches – often in the starting line-up.

He is hoping that his diligence – another typical German characteristic – will convince the new head coach Christian Ilzer to hand him more minutes on the pitch. "I work towards that every day. As a player, you have to be ready when opportunities arise," said the 23-year-old, who spent the previous two seasons lacing his boots for Académico Viseu in the Portuguese second division. However, he has not been deterred by the higher quality of the Bundesliga. "Everything is a dimension bigger. The level, the fans, the quality of the players – but I felt ready for the challenge. It was exactly the step I wanted to take for my development."

"If you train with the best, you will also be one of the best at some point."

He also took encouragement from a two-month period with the Brazil U23 national team in January and February 2024. During the qualification tournament for the Olympic Games in Paris, which Brazil missed out on after finishing in third place, Arthur Chaves not only made an appearance in six of the seven games but also played alongside the most talented players in his country – including Endrick, who has been playing for Real Madrid since the summer and has a market value of €60 million. "I learned an incredible amount during that time. Not only did I get to play with such talented guys, but I also got to prove myself against them in training. That's why that period was unbelievably important for me; it also gave me the feeling that I was ready to take the next step in my career." Since then, his credo has been: "If you train with the best, you will also be one of the best at some point." Arthur Chaves has already proven at TSG that he can adapt to playing at a high level without any bedding-in period.

Professional football has been his ultimate goal since childhood. "Like every boy in Brazil, I started out on the street," said Chaves. It wasn't until the age of 10 that he started playing club football, and he turned professional at his hometown club Avaí FC before moving to Portugal at the age of 21. "The differences were not that great – due to the similar culture and language – which is why many Brazilians go to Portugal first," explained the centre-back.

According to Chaves, his home city of Florianópolis in the south of the country is "very safe and very clean", which is by no means a given in Brazil. He appreciates this just as much as the fact that he was able to take his first steps in professional football in his home city. "All of this is a privilege," said Chaves, who added that Florianópolis is a "gorgeous city" – and when you see the pictures of his hometown, you immediately believe him.

But he has left that paradise behind. There is a term for this feeling in his mother tongue: 'saudade'. His longing for his hometown always remains with him, but has no regrets about his decisions. "I wouldn't trade my current life for anything in the world. Being here is what counts." That said, the upcoming time of year is a cause for concern for him. "I have to prepare myself mentally for the winter," he said, with a broad grin on his face. He doesn't yet know exactly what it will be like; even in winter, thermometers in Florianópolis don't reach single-digit temperatures. But one thing's for sure: Arthur Chaves will soon get used to the cold.