Fernando Meligeni, Brazil also in football

There are many who describe Fernando Meligeni how more Brazilian than most of the Brazilians. And so because the former tennis player, of 41 years, is not only Brazilian, but you chose to be so.

Born in Buenos Aires, Fininho moved from child to Brazil with his parents, and although he returned to Argentina to become a youth tennis, has always wanted to underline their status as Brazilian, either played 29 matches of the Davis Cup, winning the gold medal in the 2003 Pan American Games or to get involved, between tears, in the Green and yellow flag.

In this series of interviews of FIFA.com with personalities from other areas, we talked to former number 25 in the world and owner of three titles on the ATP tour on its relationship with football, sport lifts so passionate in their two countries, birth and your heart.

We start with the issue that often arises to talk with you, although now in football terms. In the FIFA World Cup, do you support Brazil or Argentina?
(Laughs) Support for Brazil. I am Brazilian, so simple. Of course I feel a huge affection for Argentina: is the country where I was born, my parents abroad. But the human being passes through transformations, and my transformation in Brazil is very special. My sister, for example, moved here with me, but until today no doubt: encourages Argentina. I think the big difference is when one represents the country, as I did many times with Brazil in the Davis Cup at the Pan American Games...

But their first FIFA World Cup memories are of Argentina, right?
Ah, that Yes. I remember very well how my father broke out of joy with the title of 1978, and then how we all celebrate the 1986. But after that, world I already associate with the country I chose. Even today, at home, everyone jokes when you play the Brazilian selection: "look, your team, there on the Court" (laughs).

Playing football is one of the favorite pastimes of many players on the circuit, is not it?
Yes, without a doubt. Many. Especially the Brazilians, Argentines and Spaniards: three countries who are passionate about football and, in general, have many players traveling together in clay tournaments, which are preferred in these schools. For a long time, several of these tournaments - including the Brazil Open, when held in the Costa do Sauipe - compulsory event were a sprints between the players. But then the thing became too intense and some injured (laughs). Today it is more difficult to see people playing a game seriously, but in the circuit many they love football.

Moreover, not only play, but come to matches. This is one of the main advantages that we have when we travel: the Organization of tournaments knows that we love, and always get tickets so that we can go to the stadiums. Throughout my career, I could see many big games as a guest: Bayern Munich, Rome-Lazio, two Barcelona-Real Madrid classic... It becomes a mandatory program. And I, at that time, I took advantage of the fame of performance [the Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten, former number one in the world] and was free to all sites (laughs).

And among all these, are there any special?
There is a barbaric story of 1998 in Gstaad, Switzerland ATP. Performance and I were defeated in the second round of singles, and an irrechazable invitation, he then accepted to attend the end of the world, in Paris. But we reached the doubles final on Sunday, the day of the party! Then, we went to the track, with an eye on the ball and the other on the clock, so give us time to board the plane and go to France to see Brazil in the final. Our opponents were Cyril Suk, Czech, and Daniel Orsanic, Argentina, our friend from long ago. It was tremendous: performance and I desperate so he ended the game and in each change, Orsanic walked purposely despacisimo, told us: "look, feel a dolorcillo... I think I'm going to ask medical time." "You are not in a hurry, isn't it?" (laughs). At the end performance and I won in two sets and still arrive in time for the game, everything perfect. I mean, everything but the party, right? (laughs).

You, who has already represented as many times Brazil, do think that playing at home will be a determining factor for the Seleção in 2014?
Yes, there is a big difference between tennis and football. For me, it was always an incentive. Even when things went wrong, as when we lost against Australia in Davis Cup Florianopolis, for example: I never felt the pressure of playing at home. I was saddened to disappoint people, but I never felt under pressure. But with the football that changes: the pressure is going to be a problem. When it comes to football, the Brazilian is too passionate. I think that the pressure that the Selecaogane here in 2014 will be the largest that has had a team in history.

What do expect the atmosphere of Brazil during the World Cup?
It will be a world great, different from what many people are accustomed to seeing in Europe: the situation here is different. But I think it is an ideal occasion to display a spectacular feature of the Brazilian people, which is that side nice, kind, hospitable, always with a smile on your face. And even more so during the tournament: the country will live based on that. Who come will have fun a lot, no doubt, aside from the parties themselves.