Coelho: 'Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain have a strong bond'
Fox Sports Brazil journalist Paulo Vinicius Coelho was in Paris on the weekend as his TV channel organised to bring a Brazilian supporter to the final of the Coupe de France.
Paulo, how have you few days in Paris been?
"It's always fantastic to come to Paris, but even better when we are so warmly welcomed by Paris Saint-Germain. To be able to speak to the players, watch the final, it was a wonderful experience... Paris were so close to lifting the trophy, but it was still a great match and we have had a great trip, like always. This is my fifth visit to Paris and it's always great to be here."
How well known is Paris Saint-Germain in Brazil?
"The club is more and more popular, thanks of course to the presence of the Brazilian players such as Neymar, Thiago, Marquinhos and Dani Alves. There's also Maxwell is is one of the managerial staff... It's a club that has gorwn up very quickly and has undergone very rapid change. Today, young kids, 10 years of age, love Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, that's the level they have reached and they are now one of the biggest clubs in the world."
What to the Brazilian fans think about Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian stars, starting with Neymar, of course?
"Neymar is a one of a kind, so charismatic, it's like when Ronaldinho signed here in 2001. Neymar is such a star that people want his short, his number, the Jordan crossover jersey, it's all very special. The history of Paris Saint-Germain is strongly linked to Brazil since the very beginning. Joel Camargo was the first Brazilian to play here, Abel Braga also wore this jersey. The first time I came to Paris was to do a report on Raí, Ricardo Gomes, Valdo ... "The Magician" was Valdo's nickname... There is a great history here and that history is still being written."
Formiga is also captain of the Paris Saint-Germain women's team and she is preparing to take part in her seventh FIFA WOmen's World Cup... Is she an example for modern world football?
"Yes, she's an example. She's a symbol of women's football in Brazil. From an historic point of view, Marta is a phenomenon, but Formiga is a pillar of the women's game. We have seen that the women's game is growing quickly in Spain with the biggest ever crowd for a women's game when Barcelona played Atlético Madrid recently. The sport is also growing in France where Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain are regulars in the later stages of the Champions League. Lyon and Paris are very good sides... Formiga is a symbol of how women's football can develop... plant the seed and it will grow."