During the 15 years of Krasnodar’s existence, two Vandersons visited the club. Both are Brazilian forwards. The first left a deeper mark on history. Now Vanderson Do Carmo remotely supports his first Russian club. “Championship” tracked down the Bulls’ top scorer in the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons and asked him about his Russian adventure and his life after his career.
“I want to thank Russia for everything”
— There are good memories of you in Russia. Do you follow Russian football? — I remember all the good moments associated with Russia. I love Russia! I follow Krasnodar closely. Now the team is performing very well in the championship and may even win the title this season. I hope so!
—What is the most vivid memory of our country? – This is my beginning in Russia. I arrived in Krasnodar, Zenit signed Hulk. It was a very atmospheric league. I scored many goals and was the best striker in the club. He also scored the first hat-trick in Krasnodar’s history, in the match against Anzhi. Also a special moment for me.
—Do you miss those times? – Yes. I love Russia. It was very good for me and my family in this country. I want to thank Russia for everything. I will never forget that moment.
— Are you currently in communication with any of your Krasnodar partners? – Not now. With Joaozinho he talked a lot, about football, about life. Yura Gazinsky and I congratulate each other on our birthdays.
– Tenth place in the history of Krasnodar in number of matches, third in goals – Do you feel like a legend of the club? – One of them is possible. In Krasnodar there were many great players, for example, the top scorer of the Smolov team, Ari. I think I’m on that list too. Krasnodar fans treat me well.
— They didn’t buy you out immediately, right? — First, Krasnodar gave me up and then signed me a full contract. Slavolub Muslin changed my position and I started playing as a central forward. The fact that he began to score more is a great credit to the coach, and the change of position is the key point. It is an honor for me to be among Krasnodar’s top scorers.
— Lately the RFU organizes matches for legends from several clubs. If such an event was organized with Krasnodar stars, would you come? – Certainly! This would be a special game. Returning to Russia would only give me positive emotions. I spent a very important stage of my life and career in Russia: I played a lot and scored. I will definitely come to such a match!
vanderson
Photo: Sergey Apenkin, “Championship”
“Joaozinho is my football brother!”
— In 2018 Krasnodar included him in the symbolic team of the tenth anniversary. Here they are: Dikan, Granqvist, Kaleshin, Petrov, Martynovich, Pereira, Mamaev, Gazinsky, Wanderson, Joaozinho, Smolov. Who would you add? — I saw this team. All these players deserved to get there, they did a lot for Krasnodar. But in the history of the club there were other worthy players, for example, Laborde, Ari, Ramírez, another Wanderson, Klasson. All of them were great footballers and very qualified.
— Can you say that Krasnodar is the most important club of your career and your time in Russia is the best? – Yes. The Swedish GAIS was a very important club in my career: it opened the doors to Europe for me. But I am very grateful to Krasnodar for football, for helping me, my family, for all the emotions. This club holds a special place in my heart.
—Who was the best partner for you personally? – Joaozinho. The best player, the best friend is my soccer brother! When I arrived in Krasnodar, Joaozinho opened the doors of his house to me on the first day and he told me everything. It was also thanks to Joaozinho’s passes that he scored so many goals. Much respect for him.
— What is your most memorable moment in Krasnodar? — A special moment for me is the match against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. This was the club’s first appearance in a European competition. We played in a crowded Kuban stadium and won 3:0! Although Real Sociedad is a very good team.
—And the most memorable goal? — Wolfsburg in the Europa League away from home.
vanderson
Photo: RIA Novosti
“The Cup final against Rostov is the biggest disappointment”
—What do you remember from the 2014 National Cup final? — This final is the biggest disappointment of my entire career in Krasnodar. This was a very important event for the team, for the entire club. We were very focused on winning the first trophy in the history of Krasnodar. Unfortunately we lost to Rostov on penalties. I remember that in extra time I had a good chance, but I couldn’t score. That day I experienced deep disappointment. I often remember that moment in conversations with friends in Brazil.
—Why couldn’t you beat Rostov? You were considered the favorites. —Were we the favorites? Maybe. Probably, at that time “Krasnodar” was really stronger than “Rostov”. But they also had a strong team. There were a lot of nerves in that game. The final is just a game. If you don’t play well, you will get into trouble.
— Rostov Gatskan said Krasnodar had prepared gold and champagne jerseys before the final. This is true? – No no no! Of course this is not true! We respect Rostov as a team and we take the game seriously. We definitely didn’t prepare anything in advance.
— Last season Krasnodar also reached the Cup final and lost again. Did you see that game? – Unfortunately I missed it. I only saw the result. She got upset. He expected Krasnodar to win. Unfortunately we lost the second Cup final. Maybe they will win for the third time (laughs).
“Galitsky gave me a Rolex watch”
—Does Krasnodar already deserve the trophy? —The one who definitely deserves that title is President Galitsky! Now Krasnodar has a strong squad, they are going for the championship. Maybe it will finally work. Zenit is very strong: five titles in a row! But I think that as soon as Krasnodar takes the first trophy, the next ones will come. The club has good infrastructure, a president, a director. There is everything for your training and recovery. Players can fully concentrate on football.
—Who is Galitsky for you? – Special person. Only respect and gratitude towards him: a great man in Russia, but at the same time a simple guy. He always asked questions about everything, he was with the team every day, watching training. He talked to us after every game. He could come in any day and talk about football, life, everything. Sometimes, looking at Galitsky, he caught me thinking: “Is this the president or not?” (Laughs.) One day he gave me a Rolex watch! In Krasnodar colors: green, with the club symbol. Very beautiful.
—For 100 games? – Yes Yes. Crazy gift! Not only did he reward me, but he also rewarded other players.
—Did the president give fiery speeches in the locker room? — I remember we played with Ufa. We were very bad in the first half. During the break, she went into the locker room and threw her boot at someone. He yelled, “What kind of game is this, guys?!” You’re not trying! Go out for the second half and play better, otherwise after this season we will have to change ten people!” We were panicking haha. But we still lost that time, like 1:2. It was a crazy but good moment. More often Galitsky said: “Well done, good guys! Chill out.”
—Have you heard about his illness? – Yes I heard. Joaozinho told me. I don’t know how serious the disease is. I really hope that everything is fine with his health and that he lives. Galitsky is a very good person, he has done a lot for me and my family.
vanderson
Photo: fckrasnodar.ru
“The other Wanderson is also a good player.”
—Why didn’t they renew your contract in the summer of 2017 and you went to Dynamo? – I don’t know. At the end of the season they told me: “Thank you very much, but we cannot sign the contract again.” I responded, “Okay, no problem. Thank you for everything, for these five years.” Maybe there would have been an opportunity to stay another year, but it didn’t work out.
– But did you want to stay? – Yes, I wanted to stay one more year. But at that time it was impossible. This is football, it changes every moment. I didn’t know the situation, but it wasn’t a problem for me.
— In the same transfer window, Krasnodar bought another Wanderson. – That was funny, haha!
– Which of the Vandersons was cooler? – Don’t know. I played one position, he played another. I scored a lot of goals, I gave a lot of assists. But he is also a good player.
vanderson
Photo: RIA Novosti
“Zenit will return stronger after the winter break with new players.”
— Are you surprised by Krasnodar’s current leadership in the championship? —I was a little surprised. Many clubs have good teams: Dynamo, Zenit. But Krasnodar every year is in the leading group. The club is receiving new players from the academy and they are gaining new experience playing in the league. This is very good for the club: they don’t have to buy too many new players. Krasnodar has always been a strong team. But two points between Zenit and Krasnodar are not enough. After the winter break, Zenit will return stronger and with new players. This is not OK. I will be very happy if Krasnodar wins the championship. However, to do this you also need to gain weight during the winter.
What achievements does the club already have?
Krasnodar is 15 years old. What has Galitsky’s club achieved in so long?
—Are you following anyone personally? What can you say about Spertsyan? — Spertsyan is a good player. I also follow Alonso, the Paraguay national team player. Goalkeeper Safonov makes many saves. He is good.
— Is John Córdoba a top-level forward? – Also a great player. I see him play and score. Of course, he is a strong forward with good execution. I think he is now the best striker in the RPL himself.
—What do you think of the Brazilians at Zenit? – There was a time when Krasnodar was similar to Zenit in this sense; We also had many players from Brazil. Footballers at this level are a plus for the league.
vanderson
Photo: Sergey Apenkin, “Championship”
“The ban on Russia is complete shit for the championship and the clubs”
— Were you happy for Krasnodar when it debuted in the Champions League? – Yes, I was very happy. This is a historic moment. I watched all the games and had many emotions. Playing in the Champions League is a special event for every team, even great teams like Manchester City or Liverpool.
— Did you want to play in the Champions League with Krasnodar? — I would like to, but before I experienced the same sensations, playing in the Europa League with Krasnodar. Playing in the Europa League and the Champions League are good emotions and an experience for the Club. In addition to an unforgettable atmosphere.
— Now Russian clubs and the national team do not have access to the international arena. How do you feel about that? – This is complete shit for the championship and the clubs. The clubs lack competition with European teams and the fans lack atmosphere.
“Maybe I will return to Krasnodar as a coach”
— Since 2021 you have not played football professionally. What are you doing now? — I take my children to school, I normalized my family life after playing soccer. My wife is studying at university and I play soccer just with friends for fun. I have been playing professionally for 15 years and now is the time to take a break from the pressure and stress.
—Do you see yourself as a coach? – Maybe. I do not exclude the possibility of returning to Russia and working as an assistant coach.
— Would you like to return to Krasnodar? – Yes. Maybe not even to the first team, but to the second or the youth team. I really love our fans, our club.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS