Dante: "Germany one of the favourites"

Many of the players currently plying their trade in the Bundesliga will be on international duty in Brazil when the World Cup kicks off on 12 June 2014. The German league clearly represents an ideal stage for potential candidates to impress ahead of this summer’s global showpiece, with up to 24 of the nations involved able to call up Bundesliga-based players for the tournament in South America. In a new series of interviews, DFB.de will be speaking to some of the leading contenders for a World Cup place. First up is Brazil and Bayern Munich defender Dante.

The Brazilian made history with Bayern Munich last season as the German side won the treble, the UEFA Super Cup and finally the Club World Cup - thanks to a Dante goal against Raja Casablanca in the final. He has also been playing for his country since 2013. In an exclusive DFB.de interview, the central defender spoke to Paula Widmer about the Bundesliga, the Seleção, the German national team and World Cup host country Brazil.

DFB.de: Dante, you’re playing in the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League. Can you even begin to look forward to the World Cup when there are so many important games on?

Dante: Our focus is on these three competitions. But the World Cup is something special, so I’m definitely looking forward to the tournament, especially as it’s taking place in my homeland. But I’ll be fully focused on Bayern until then.

DFB.de: What role has the Bundesliga played in your career?

Dante: My dreams have come true here. I’d always wanted to play in Germany and now I’m here as a winner of the Bundesliga, the German Cup, the Champions League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup. Everything’s going very well. I’m delighted to be playing in the Bundesliga and I hope I’ll stay here for a long time to come.

DFB.de: Do you think that until recently you were probably better known in Germany than you were in Brazil?

Dante: Yes, I was 20 when I came to Europe. Not many people knew about me in Brazil. But I’ve been here for five years now and more people know about me. Lots of Bundesliga matches are televised in Brazil, so people at home are more familiar with the league. It’s great that my family can now follow me in Brazil. The whole world watches the Bundesliga and enjoys doing so.

DFB.de: But did you also enjoy going to the beach in Brazil without being recognised?

Dante: Yes, my family and I were once able to enjoy the beach in peace and quiet. But not any more. That’s the price you pay. However, I’m very happy that people recognise me in the street. It’s a sign that we’re doing a good job.

DFB.de: How important is it to you that you’re now playing for your country?

Dante: The Seleção, the national team and the yellow shirt mean everything to the people of Brazil. It’s every child’s dream, as it was mine. When I used to watch the Seleção on television, I always used to think: ‘I have to play for them, even if it’s just once.’

DFB.de: So your dream came true in 2013…

Dante: My journey to the national team was far from conventional. I was 28 when I first joined a big club – Bayern Munich. And I got my first call-up for Brazil when I was 29. That’s highly unusual. But I was delighted to have finally made it.

DFB.de: What was it like?

Dante: My first match was against England at Wembley, and it was amazing. But I only had three days to show what I could do. I linked up with the Seleção as an unknown, and immediately met Ronaldinho, Neymar and Felipão. That was when I realised: ‘this is it.’ It wasn’t the easiest of experiences because I only had a short time to prove myself, but I enjoyed it and played like it was my last time with the team. And everything went really well, so I was delighted.

DFB.de: Do you get on particularly well with Rafinha and Luiz Gustavo given that they play in Germany too?

Dante: We’re pretty much like three brothers. We were particularly happy about the last call-up because we all went together. We were also really happy for Rafinha as it was the first time he’d been called up by Felipão. And it would be absolutely fantastic if we could all make it into the World Cup squad together.

DFB.de: Does the trauma of 1950 still affect the current national team?

Dante: It doesn’t affect the players, but it does play a role for the fans. We can feel them warning us to be careful, to avoid a repetition of what happened in 1950, when we lost to Uruguay. But it’s important not to focus on the past too much; it doesn’t get you anywhere. But what happened back then still haunts the fans. So we want revenge, and to win the Cup for the fans.

DFB.de: You won everything there was to win with Bayern Munich last season, and the expectations are high this season too. Do you think this experience helps you in the national team? There seems to be an incredible amount of pressure on Brazil.

Dante: Yes, of course. The pressure on us in the national team helps us at club level and vice versa. I play for Bayern Munich. We want to win everything and to give 100% all the time. We’re always under pressure and that’s a good thing. Sometimes it does get a bit stressful, but I need that. I like playing in all the big, important matches and the pressure that comes with it.

DFB.de: If things go according to plan for both Brazil and Germany, then the two countries will meet in the semi-final. You’d be up against lots of your Bayern colleagues, people you’re with day-in and day-out. And there’d be lots at stake. Has this ever crossed your mind? What would it be like for you?

Dante: Yes. We’ve already had a chat and a laugh about it. It’d be a dream for me to face my colleagues in the World Cup semi-final. But one thing’s for sure: it’d be a very, very tough match.

DFB.de: Just how good do you think this Germany side is?

Dante: Germany are one of the favourites and have an unbelievable squad. The good thing about Germany is that their players have been together a long time: Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez and many more. They’ve all been around for a long time. And that’ll give them a great chance at the World Cup.

DFB.de: Is it an advantage for Brazil that you already know so many of their players?

Dante: (laughs) Yes, but Brazil’s big advantage is that we’re already used to the different climates and the distances. And we also have the fans behind us. The role the fans played at the Confederations Cup was clear for all to see. It was incredible. We’re delighted to have their support. The fans are very important to us.

DFB.de: How strong do you think the Brazilian national team is right now?

Dante: There’s lots of quality in our squad. We’ve managed to put solid foundations in place despite the upheaval associated with the arrival of a new coach and a lot of new players too. Winning the Confederations Cup served as proof that we’ve successfully put these foundations in place. It showed us how much potential we have. Now we’re like a family, and that’s also our coach’s philosophy.

DFB.de: What is this philosophy exactly?

Dante: To always work as a unit and to stick together, no matter who’s playing. The important thing is to always maintain a positive approach. And to give everything for your team-mates. We have everything we need to win. But the best players on the planet will all be at the World Cup. And so it ultimately comes down to details. We can’t promise anything, but we’ll give absolutely everything.

DFB.de: Which family member are you then?

Dante: (laughs) Definitely the big brother because of my age. I’m a real team-player in the national team. I’m one of those players who always tries to prioritise the team above himself. I think that a lot of the players have now got to know me better and they know what my attitude and my personality – the real Dante – are like. They know that I always play, run and fight for them and try to help them. We have a lot of respect for each other and that’s very important.

DFB.de: Neymar scored a hat-trick as the Seleção beat South Africa 5-0 in a friendly on 5 March. Does the team’s success depend on his form?

Dante: I genuinely think that we’re a very good group of players, but we do need Neymar to be on top form. He is to us what Messi is to Argentina. You might say that he’s our star, our key player. He’s always capable of causing a surprise when he gets the ball. I think he accounts for about 30 or 40 per cent of our team’s ability.

DFB.de: What’s he like as a person?

Dante: He’s a real joker. He’s a world-class player, a world superstar, but in his head he’s still a 22-year-old boy. He’s always relaxed, laughing, playing with his console. He’s still a little bit like a kid. But that’s also his strength. Despite his talent and the fact that he’s one of the world’s top ten players, his feet remain firmly on the ground and he always works well. That’s important for him, but for us too. It’s important for us that our star conducts himself in such a way.

DFB.de: Do you play music together before games?

Dante: (laughs) He tries. But he’s not very good. I’ve shown him a few things and explained what he needs to do. He always wants to join in. But his rhythm isn’t quite right. Perhaps he’ll do a course and then he’ll be able to play some music at the World Cup.

DFB.de: Germany’s first match at the World Cup is in Salvador, which is where you’re from. What kind of expectations should the national team have?

Dante: The city of Salvador is well-known for its beaches, its carnival and its people. The people are similar to me. We’re always laughing. The people there don’t need money, flash cars or big houses to be happy. They need their friends and a good atmosphere. They’re known for having that attitude. I’m very happy that Germany will briefly have an opportunity to see the city I come from. And I hope they’ll like it there.

DFB.de: What do you think about where Germany will be based during the tournament? You come from the area.

Dante: Porto Seguro is a very beautiful city. Santo André is 30 kilometres further north. There’s a lot of nature there, and not so many people. It’s extremely calm. I personally think Germany have made a very good choice to go there. The weather is good. And there’s also a golf course. I know that a few of the lads here are very good golfers. (laughs)

DFB.de: Will the distances and the climate be a problem for the teams?

Dante: I don’t think it’ll be a problem for Germany because they’re playing their first maches in Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza, which are in the same climate zone. But if they have to go down south later on in the tournament, they’ll experience a change in temperature of about 20 degrees centigrade. And that could be really tough. I hope that the stadiums will be good. It won’t be a perfect World Cup like the one in Germany was, but I’m sure we’ll still host a very good World Cup tournament. Anyone who knows Brazil is aware of the country’s social inequalities. But I hope that it’ll be a great World Cup for the fans.

DFB.de: When you go back to Brazil do you notice that you’ve adopted any “typically German” traits?

Dante: (laughs) Oh yes! Sometimes when I’m there people ask me if something’s wrong. They ask why I don’t want to do something, for example. Then I tell them, ‘Ok I’ll do it.’ It’s just been a very long time since I’ve lived in Brazil. Each time I’ve moved to a new country – first France, then Belgium and now Germany – I’ve managed to integrate straightaway, quickly learning the language in order to understand the culture and the people. And so that’s why things are different when I’m back in Brazil. But I’m still a Brazilian at heart. We never forget our roots.

DFB.de: Have you made any hair-related bets for the World Cup?

Dante: I did that in Gladbach once when nobody believed that we wouldn’t get relegated. But I got in real trouble for that at home. Nobody was happy about it, neither my wife, nor my two children. I think it’s better for everyone if I just give my all on the pitch, win the Cup for the fans and leave my hair as it is. (laughs)

DFB.de: Will you also have your fingers crossed for Germany?

Dante: Yes, definitely. I know lots of the players in the German national team and I also know some players at other Bundesliga clubs too. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for them, definitely. But not if we play against them in the semi-final.