There are players old and new, active and not that glad to talk to them about football. One of them is the current technical director of Panathinaikos and great old Brazilian defensive midfielder, Gilberto Silva.

I met him up close, in a recent Europa League draw in Monte Carlo.  I was fortunate to live in the same hotel and I was given the opportunity to speak several times and for a long time, and we got together and breakfast, Saturday, August 27th for Discoveryfootball.

Gilberto Silva answered all my questions with honesty, clarity and passion for football that we all love us.

DF: Let´s start from your home country Brazil, which has brought major players literally. So who do you think is the biggest of all, from the football display?.

"Indeed, Brazil is the country which has spawned great footballers.. So top footballer of all time is Pele. Unique unprecedented. Great was still Ronaldinho and Luiz Ronaldo «Phenomenon» . Now In my opinion the best player is Messi, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar".

Another Brazil 2018

DF: What was it but also affected the national Brazilian was unable to star in the land, to the 2014 World Cup?

"Every time has its own players. Sometimes good sometimes not the same. So it is not the first time that a national team is failing, even struggling at the headquarters of being unable to achieve the target. Mistakes certainly were and will be. They too are part of football. But I believe that we will again see a strong national Brazilian who will be present at the tennis of Russia in the World Cup 2018 and there will be completely different".

DF: He played years in the Premier League the most exciting championship for several. What does and stands out against the other?

"The whole structure. The organization. The competition. Who this time last year could have imagined that the championship will conquer the Leicester. Very few if not none. Yet we all saw what this team has achieved, that certainly was not the budget but also the players heading other large club".

DF: Speaking of the Premier League, this year you believe it will be able to defend its title, the Leicester?

"Okay these things do not occur every day. Like the national Greece is not easy to repeat the feat of the 2004 European Championship but Surely Leicester will not be any team that constantly loses. Of course they will watch most of the opponents, but I do not think that will be among the title contenders".

DF: What think teams that will compete this year the title in the Premier League?

"Manchester United is coached by José Mourinho. Manchester City with the new technical Guardiola has done substantial work in recent years, or Barcelona, ​​or Bayern Munich. I want to see what he would do Chelsea, Tottenham is again the contenders for the exit in the Champions League and Arsenal".

Critical to this season for Wenger

DF: How about Arsenal. Several contributors that Arsene Wenger is becoming players in the midfield and forward and the team shows great football. But on the other hand are not many who say there is a serious problem in central defense, which is slow and therefore losing valuable points and can not win a title for many years…

"Maybe they are right and. It is true that Arsenal presents a modern and spectacular football but sometimes easily accept and goals and this pays. Should this year to show something more because the world certainly can not stand to see another finishing behind other groups. If you get no title this year Wenger May certainly the position will be extremely difficult".

DF: Go and the Champions League, which groups think that this year will play a leading role? The same as last year, Barcelona, ​​Bayern and Real or maybe to have some surprise?.

"I do not think so. The Barcelona, ​​Bayern and Real Madrid will take the lead again. After the absence of Ibrahimovic may affect the PSG, which will have a new coach. Atletico can not reach as high as last year".

DF: Changes that apply in the Champions League from the period 2018 that the judge?

"The powerful and wealthy groups that spend too much money will be presented even stronger. They basically look more beautiful sight, so it is logical to affect most situations in football".

Gilberto Silva born on October 7, 1975 in Minas Gerais. He began his career in 1997 at América Mineiro (20 games, 1 goal). In 2000 he went to Atlético Mineiro (2000- 2002, 62 games, 4 goals) where he excelled playing for three years in the first class in Brazil. Became widely known in the World Cup of 2002 where the Brazilian national (93 times international, 3 goals) and played in seven games entirely successful course of, to win the trophy. After he came to Europe where he played at Arsenal for six seasons (2002-2008, 170 games, 17 goals), which won the title in the Premier League in 2004 and two FA Cups.

Then he went to Greece where Panathinaikos (78 matches, 6 goals) won a double in 2010. Then wore the vests of Porto Alegrense (2011- 12, 47 games, 1 goal) and hung his shoes back to Atletico Mineiro ( 2013). The weekend September 26- 28 are invited and will speak at the annual conference organized football in Manchester «Soccerex Global Convention». Main speakers beyond Gilberto will be the Dutchman, Edwin Van de Sar, Alain Belsoeur and Gerard Houllier . The four will share their experiences on the importance of the academy and will explain how the teams have the opportunity to benefit racing and economically.