Al Ain’s new recruit is tasked with helping the club fight for Asian and UAE glory in 2016/17. He spoke on the club’s website during the team’s training camp in Austria.
Star signing
Caio joined Al Ain last month from Japan’s Kashima Antlers on a three-year deal. The winger, 22, spent two years at Kashima, scoring 26 times in 99 appearances. Al Ain will hope he settles quickly, though. On August 23, they play the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv.
On the training camp
“It’s hard work and everyone is trying to follow instructions, because they’re fully aware the effort they make now will bear fruits at the start of the season and will help us in our challenges both locally and regionally,” Caio said. “We pass every moment feeling that we are champions. We focus on our goals for the new season. That’s the new motto for every team member.”
On joining Al Ain
“I know very well that I’ve joined the best team in the UAE in terms of its professionalism, its large fan base, and that it has some of the best names in football: Omar Abdulrahman, who is a distinguished player for the UAE if not the whole continent, in addition to Douglas, whom I knew from my time in Japan. There’s also the great capabilities of Danilo Asprilla, Lee Myung-joo and other players.”
On offers from other clubs
“I actually received many offers including some from Chinese clubs, as well as offers from one of the German Bundesliga clubs. But I was happy with the Al Ain offer, especially with the great and serious desire expressed by the club during the negotiations and according to the information I received.”
On leaving Japan
“Overall, it is was a wonderful experience and I was motivated to give everything. My move to Al Ain happened within hours. I didn’t find time to say goodbye to many friends. I personally have a great appreciation for every single person I met there. I thank the Kashima fans for their strong support during my time in Japan”.
On learning new languages
“I have an English teacher who will start courses with me once I’m back from the camp. But I have started picking up some Arabic common words used in the camp. I personally thought I would find difficulties, especially with the language. But the presence of Douglas and Asprilla, and the feeling from everyone that we’re one family, has allowed me to overcome the language barrier. Asprilla is an excellent translator as he’s mastered English and Portuguese.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
