Fanshop
Fact or fake: Arthur Chaves on Brazil
1 (Fact)
Everyone in Brazil knows how to handle a football.
"That's true, but there are also different ways of handling a football. (laughs) Everyone in Brazil has probably had a ball at their feet, but the level of course varies greatly."
2 (Fact)
Football is a religion for the people of Brazil.
"Absolutely, football is extremely important for us. If your team loses, your whole week is ruined; on the other hand, the weeks where you win are fantastic. But it's also the case that you don't change the team you support in Brazil. Your father's team is also yours – and you keep it for the rest of your life. For me, it's my hometown club Avaí FC."
3 (Fake)
The Copacabana is the most beautiful beach in the world.
"No, absolutely not. It is certainly the most famous beach in the world along with the Ipanema, but there are many more beautiful beaches in Brazil. For example, you will find a fantastic beach on the Ilha do Campeche, which is also close to my hometown. There are also some very beautiful beaches in the north of Brazil, but there are sharks there too."
4 (Fact)
Brazilians are never punctual.
"That's true – and it drives me crazy. I'm never late, but everyone around me is always late. But it's not that important for most Brazilians. I'm therefore happy to be in Germany; I love German punctuality."
5 (Fake)
All Brazilians can dance samba.
"I love listening to samba and watching samba, but not everyone can dance it. I like to go to samba shows when I'm in Brazil. But as a defender, I don't need to be able to dance anyway." (laughs)
6 (Fact)
The 7-1 loss against Germany is even worse for Brazilians than the defeat to Uruguay in the final 1950 World Cup match in Rio.
"It certainly is for me. 1950 was so long ago; it's simply a story for me. I was 13 years old at the time of the 2014 World Cup, so the World Cup in my own country and that semi-final had a huge impact in my youth. That defeat is etched into my soul and I'm sure it is etched into the souls of others too."
7 (Fact)
Pelé is greater than Maradona and Messi.
"Yes, full stop. (laughs) There's nothing to add to that. Pelé is the most important and greatest footballer in history. Any Brazilian who claims that Maradona or Messi are greater than Pelé is not Brazilian." (laughs)
