Roma’s Brazilian stars answer fan questions in Boston

Jesus, how excited are you to move from Inter to Roma?

Jesus: “I am very happy to be here. It’s a new experience for me, a new adventure. Whenever you have a change in life, it’s always for the good and to improve yourself.”

Gerson, a lot of people have high expectations for you. Do you feel any pressure?

Gerson: “No, not at all. I am feeling OK. I will just try to do my best for the team and I am sure everything will work out fine.”

How good is your Italian?

Jesus: “My Italian is very good. I’m fluent. I arrived in Italy four years ago so I don’t have any problems with the language.”

Alisson: “I’ve just arrived but I thinking I’m doing OK with learning Italian but I know I will keep improving as time goes by.”

Emerson: “I arrived in Italy two years ago and I’m now fluent.”

Gerson: “I have just arrived but I’m looking forward to starting studying and learning the language.”

Who is the most skillful non-Brazilian player in the squad?

Jesus: “Most technical player? Totti.”

Alisson: “Totti.”

Gerson: “Totti is the one. We all agree.”

If Salah was Brazilian, would he get into the Brazil squad?

Alisson: “I think Salah would make it into the Brazil squad because he’s a very fast player, very skillful and he has a good shot.”

Who is your most admired sports person – not football?

Alisson: “Ayrton Senna, the legendary Brazilian Formula One driver.”

Jesus: “I really admire Gustavo Kuerten, a former World No.1 tennis player. Tennis wasn’t really popular in Brazil in the past but he still made it and was one of the best.”

Gerson: “Anderson da Silva, the Brazilian UFC champion.”

Emerson: “Anderson da Silva.”

Who is the toughest player in the squad?

Alisson: “If there was a fight, I think Kevin Strootman would be the toughest in the squad.”

Jesus: “Probably Daniele De Rossi because he’s a tough guy, with a tough face. I’m speaking from experience of playing against him!”

Gerson: “Kevin Strootman.”

Emerson: “Antonio Rudiger.”

Who is the fastest player at Roma?

Alisson: “Momo.”

Gerson: “Momo by far.”

Who has been your toughest opponent in your career?

Alisson: “The Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. An incredible player.”

Jesus: “Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Gerson: “Jefferson, the goalkeeper who plays for Botafogo.”

Emerson: “Carlos Tevez.”

If you had to compete in Rio Olympics in a sport other than football, what would you pick?

Alisson: “Basketball.”

Jesus: “Archery.”

Gerson: “Volleyball.”

Emerson: “Swimming.”

Who is your favourite Brazilian player of all time?

Alisson: “The goalkeeper Taffarel.”

Jesus: “The defender Lucio.”

Gerson: “Robinho.”

Emerson: “Ronaldo.”

Who is your favourite Brazilian Roma player?

Alisson: “Aldair.”

Jesus: “Cafu.”

Emerson: “Cafu.”

Gerson: “Falcao.”

What do you hope to achieve this season?

Alisson: “I just hope to do my best for the team and to be successful with the club. I just want to try to achieve the best possible result for the team and the season.”

Jesus: “We just have to be humble and think about each game as it comes. It’s going to be a long and difficult season championship because many teams have reinforced their squad so we just have to stay focused, work hard and at the end of the season we will hopefully bear the fruits of our work.”

Gerson: “I will just try to do my best for the team and will fight for as high a position as we can achieve in the season. We are not looking further ahead than the first game.”

Emerson: “It is too early to say what our objectives will be but this is a big club and we have to try and win every game we play and do our best to make the fans proud.”