FEATURE: England fans could be forgiven for overlooking the name of Afonso Alves listed alongside Brazil’s Kaka, Ronaldinho and Robinho tonight — many people in his homeland don’t even know who he is.
Although his emergence on the international scene seems an unlikely story, no one in Europe scored more goals than the uncapped striker this season and he (pictured above) threatens to be Brazil’s secret weapon at the showpiece Wembley showdown.
Afonso’s inclusion in the squad caught journalists off guard in South America. He is not the next teenage product of the footballing factories of Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paolo; he is a 26-year-old brute of a centre forward who left Brazil five years ago when his career failed to take off to find his fortune in the unlikely surroundings of the Swedish league.
After impressing as much as is possible with Orgryte and Malmo, he earned a move to Dutch overachievers Heerenveen last summer. With an impressive haul of 34 goals in 30 games — which earned his club a place in the UEFA Cup next season — the call from Brazil followed.
“I always dreamed of playing for Brazil,” says Afonso. “But I didn’t think I would get the chance now. I am very happy.”
But don’t read his surprise as a lack of confidence. He insists he is not intimidated by lining up alongside Barcelona star Ronaldinho and Milan magician Kaka.
“I am calm,” says Afonso (right). “All the players are ready to give their all and I am no different. I scored 34 goals in 31 games this season and that was no fluke.”
He is quick to point out his record in the Dutch league surpasses those of fellow Brazilians Romario — who scored 25 in 25 games in his best season — and Ronaldo’s 30 in 33 appearances. And their feats were achieved at relative giants PSV Eindhoven.
“The statistics and the Press in Holland say that I did better than either of them,” says Afonso. “I scored more goals at a much more modest club.”
Just as his exploits have been noticed by Brazil coach Dunga, he is also being monitored by Europe’s top clubs. A year after Heerenveen splashed out a club-record £3million to sign Afonso, they are set to make a £10m profit if rumours linking him to Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona or Juventus become reality.
Ronaldinho seems keen to welcome him to the Camp Nou, saying: “I’m certain that we can expect a great future from Afonso.”
For now, at least, Afonso is trying to keep his feet on the ground and enjoy his new-found fame.
“It is great that a star like Ronaldinho (left) says good things about me,” he says. “But I know that I must work very hard to get anywhere close to his level.
“This is a great moment in my life. I was top scorer in Holland and the player of the year. I also disputed the European Golden Boot. Many doors are opening, some clubs are already interested, but nothing is concrete. We have to wait and see.”
Chelsea are thought to be the English club closest to signing Afonso, despite a distinctly patchy record of Brazilians making it in England. Since Mirandinha became the first samba star to play in England with Newcastle in 1987, few have followed.
Just a handful played in the Premiership last season, including Anderson Silva, who managed just two minutes for Everton, and Douglas Rinaldi, who started half a dozen times for Watford. Fabio Aurelio struggled at Liverpool and Middlesbrough’s Fabio Rochemback has failed to impress in the way that Juninho did in Teesside. Only the Arsenal trio of Gilberto Silva, Julio Baptista and Denilson really did their country proud.
But Afonso is different. He is a tall, pacey, physically strong centre forward who is good in the air as he is with his quick feet. He is a product of north European leagues, which share more characteristics of the English club game than the Spanish or Italian.
His qualities, which worry a Brazilian Press used to more finesse and flair, should alert Premiership clubs — he also speaks a little English.
Should Brazil get a free-kick within range of goal tonight, Afonso will be high up the list of takers. Forget Bend it Like Beckham, the Brazilian is more of a blaster, scoring six of his 34 goals from such situations this season.
Dunga, the former World Cup winning captain tasked with reinvigorating his country after their lacklustre showing in Germany last summer, is certainly not afraid of defending Afonso’s selection.
“He is little known,” says the coach (right). “But he is a strong, tall, fast aggressor with good technique.”
Dunga certainly needs one of his lesser-known forwards to emerge as a star this summer. While Brazil trot out their box-office stars to protect their brand and the ability to charge up to a £500,000 appearance fee for international friendlies, come the Copa America at the end of this month it will be a different story.
Kaka, Ronaldinho and Inter Milan striker Adriano have all asked to be rested for Latin America’s equivalent of the European Championships. Ronaldo, back in the goals after a January move from Real Madrid to AC Milan, will also sit out the trip to Venezuela.
Real Madrid striker Robinho, 23, is their most-capped striker in the provisional squad which will try to retain the trophy Brazil won in 2004. Lyon striker Fred, CSKA Moscow’s Jo and Vagner Love, Rafael Sobis of Real Betis and Gremio’s Carlos Eduardo are the other less-than-familiar forwards fighting Afonso for a ticket to Caracas.
Argentina, who lost on penalties in the Copa America final in Peru three years ago, are expected to be at full strength this summer, making Dunga’s task even more difficult.
“The absence of Kaka, Ronaldinho and others is complicated because they are valuable players,” he says. “But we have other good players that we can test, and what we give up in technique, we might gain in determination.”
Before 90,000 fans tonight, Afonso hopes to prove he is not lacking skill or desire.
Ashley Gray
