Bruno Guimarães on cup debut: “The first step matters most” | OneFootball

With five days to go until Brazil’s debut at the World Cup, Bruno Guimarães assessed the national team’s current form in a press conference held this Monday (8) at The Ridge hotel in New Jersey, United States. The midfielder showed confidence after the wins in the last two friendlies, against Panama and Egypt.

“I think we had some great moments in those two friendlies. We’re getting more and more ready, more focused. We have a week to work, to clear up all of the coach’s doubts, but we feel prepared and ready. We can’t wait to get started,” he said.

The player also stressed the importance of starting the tournament with a win in the opener. Brazil will face Morocco next Saturday (13) at 7 p.m. (Brasília time) at MetLife Stadium, in a Group C match.

“We know that when the World Cup starts, everyone forgets everything that happened before. So the first step is the most important for us. It’s making our debut and starting with a win. Because everything is based on the first match, and we really want that and feel prepared to start off on the right foot,” emphasized Brazil’s No. 8, who scored the first goal in the 2-1 win over Egypt.

Bruno Guimarães during a press conference for the Brazil national team in New JerseyCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Ancelotti’s backing

Bruno Guimarães highlighted the importance of coach Carlo Ancelotti in solidifying his role as a player for the Brazil national team.

“I think he, along with (Fernando) Diniz, was the guy who gave me the most confidence to play here. He was the one who, in one of his first call-ups, called me over and asked where I wanted to play, where I felt most comfortable playing. He was someone who gave me that freedom to show the best football I play at club level. Today I can be here the Bruno that I am at my club,” he explained.

Bruno Guimarães during a press conference for the Brazil national team in New JerseyCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Called up for his second World Cup, Bruno has played a bigger role in this cycle than he did in the build-up to the 2022 tournament. More experienced and more established, he sees himself as a more “ready” and “calm” player to experience this moment.

“I think I’m a much more ready player today than I was four years ago. Everything was still new to me. In the end, I didn’t go through the full cycle last time. I feel much more experienced, I don’t spend as much energy on things I did four years ago. So I feel much calmer about stepping in and playing,” he said.

Despite the individual quality of the 26 players selected by Ancelotti, he commented on what Brazil need in order to have a good World Cup.

“At a World Cup, talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard, you have to run with all eleven, defend when you have to defend, and attack when you have to attack. It’s a mix of everything, I’d say. It takes a lot of heart and believing until the very end,” he concluded.

The press room at The Ridge hotel was packed for Bruno Guimarães’s press conferenceCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.