‘Russians make cool-headed decisions’ – Brazilian phygital football manager discusses foreign media propaganda and safety in Kazan

People in Russia are more reserved and coolheaded, while Brazilians are expressive and emotional, opines Renato Sa Neto, manager of the R10 phygital team, which made it to the quarterfinals of the football tournament at the Games of the Future in Kazan. However, he is convinced that Russians are not cruel or rude as they are portrayed in movies and media. The Latin American also explained why it would be very difficult to win the main trophy and recalled what caused him to lose in X Phygital Games.

– What do you think of your stay in Kazan?

– The most incredible experience. This is my third visit to this city. The first time I brought 10 people with me: they were team members, friends and fellows. On my second trip to Russia, I brought 20, and on my third trip I brought almost 50!

– That's really impressive.

– Exactly. You know, people are very friendly, I feel very welcome. The arrangements at the competitions are flawless. We enjoy our stay in the capital of Tatarstan and feel proud to be here. I'll be honest: I want to come back to Kazan again and again. I respect the path that Russia has taken to host and organize this tournament. I believe it should serve as an example for Brazilians.

– Have you ever visited other cities in Russia?

– Unfortunately, I have not. However, I can assure you that I would like to do it very much.

– Which ones would you like to visit?

– I'll name Moscow and St. Petersburg – I've heard how beautiful they are. I also want to learn more about the Russian culture. To be honest, I had a feeling that people in your country are more reserved and cool-headed in a good way. Brazilians are more expressive and emotional people. I think we have a lot to learn from you in this aspect.

– How do you mean?

– In Brazil, we often make decisions at the height of emotion. In my opinion, this is fraught with consequences, because there is a high probability of making a mistake. The Russians, as I see it, are more strategic and make decisions with a cool head.

– You praise prudence and equanimity, but you personally and the players of your team are ready to literally tear up the opponent on the field.

– This is football. Hot emotions, but with genuine respect for the opponents and referees, who, by the way, work professionally.

– According to forecasts, your R10 team is one of the tournament favorites. Did you fly to Russia solely for the trophy?

– In fact, it will be extremely difficult to win it. We already know about very strong and organized opponents from Russia, who will try to prevent us going to the top.

– Can you give an example?

– I mean such teams as Phoenix, Rotor International and Lokomotiv. I met some of them back in October last year at the X Phygital Games. I even have a T-shirt with the autographs of all Phoenix players. Back then, in 2023, we lost to them, and I already made a joke about it: I told the opponents that this T-shirt is in my room and every time I go to bed and look at it, I get mad remembering those events. The advantage of some Russian teams is a good knowledge of the tournament structure. Many have already performed in this format quite a few times, and have found the golden balance between performing in the digital and physical domains. Teams new to this type of competition need to spend time on training and cohesion. But by no means is this an excuse: we have a great lineup too, nothing to complain about. We can perform strongly and reach high.

– Tell us about your team.

– We have an international team of five Portuguese and three Brazilians. Marcelo da Silva and Gabriel de Medeiros played at a high level. Rodrigo Pimpao played for Vasco da Gama and Botafogo. I come from Porto Alegre, one of the most important cities in the south of the country.

– How do your family and friends feel about your travels to Russia?

– You know, before my first visit here, I did some research about your country. I called some Argentinians I knew who had been here before. “It's super safe,” is what I heard on the other end of the line when I inquired. It is many, many times safer here than in my hometown: I can safely walk around at night, I can afford to leave my phone out of sight, knowing that it will not be gone. And I want to emphasize again: Brazilians really have a lot to learn from you.

Respect is a word that characterizes Russians well. Unfortunately, some unreliable information is sometimes disseminated by the media. They do their job – propaganda. When I was a kid, I saw movies in which Russians are cruel and rude scoundrels. I am sure: if I have the opportunity, I will bring more people next time and this is what I will say: “Brothers, I have been there three times, the food is delicious, it is a safe environment and there are great competitions.”

– You mentioned a safe environment here. What is wrong with it in Brazil? You mean the favelas?

– Exactly. I'm not proud of it at all. We have a big social stratification between the poor and the rich. Sometimes you'll find a man digging through a trash container to get food. I feel uncomfortable talking about it, but, alas, this is our reality. I would like to be clear: not all people from these slums are involved in crime or something like that. The vast majority of them are decent hard working people. There are far fewer criminals and bad people, but unfortunately, as is often the case in our lives, people remember the bad things more.