Brazilian born, Croatia’s forward Eduardo speaks during a press conference in Brazil. (AFP)
DPA/Rio de Janeiro
A footballer born in Brazil leaves for Croatia at the age of 16 and afterwards returns to his country 15 years later - to play against Brazil in the opening game of the World Cup, wearing a European shirt.
The “impossible” story of Eduardo da Silva will become possible this Thursday when the 2014 World Cup kicks off in Sao Paulo.
“I was never registered as a player in Brazil and, in Rio, I only had the chance to train with two minor clubs. I left for Croatia when I was 16. I never imagined I would have this chance to play against my country, in this situation,” he said.
The Brazil-born 31- year-old Shaktar Donetsk forward will probably be leading the Croatian attack against Brazil. “The impossible is becoming possible, it will be sensational,” he added.
Everyone is talking about Diego Costa, the Brazilian striker of Atletico Madrid who will play in the World Cup for Spain, but Eduardo rather than Costa will be the first player to to play for a foreign country in a World Cup staged in his native country.
Eduardo has everything in his favour, given that Croatia’s first-choice striker Mario Mandzukic will miss Thursday’s opening game through suspension, after picking up a red card in Croatia’s last qualifying match.
Eduardo, Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric are Croatia’s main weapons in their bid to spoil Brazil’s debut party, despite the Croatian players claiming that they are thinking more about their other two games in Group A, against Mexico and Cameroon.
“We want to show the world Croatia’s football. It will be very difficult, but we could spring a surprise. If we take the lead, their fans might start to put too much pressure on them.”
There is a small group of these fans which will have mixed loyalties: Eduardo’s family and friends. “Some friends have called to say they hope it will be 2-1 to Brazil, with me scoring Croatia’s goal,” he said.
In the battle plan of coach Niko Kovac, Eduardo will be key to opening the spaces left by Brazil’s attacking full-backs Marcelo and Dani Alves.
“It will be difficult Thursday, but we want to have possession of the ball and control the game. We cannot just to go out to defend.”
