Cerezo: I'm proud you still think fondly of me

Toninho Cerezo became one of the four new Giallorossi Famers to be chosen in 2016. Born in 1955, the Brazilian midfielder had sublime technique and elegant movement as a player, while as an individual he was cheerful and extrovert. He picked up 104 appearances and scored 25 goals at Roma, lifting the Coppa Italia twice during his time in the Italian capital.

“I'll also never forget the two second-place finishes in the league and above all the European Cup final against Liverpool,” reveals Toninho thirty years after his spell at Roma came to an end.

Even though that game on 30 May 1984 is still a touchy subject for Roma fans today?

“Why so? We might not have lifted the trophy, but we didn't lose in 90 minutes. We only lost on penalties. I'm a positive person, I always look at the glass half-full. Reaching such an important game is a cause for pride in itself. In the end, winning the thing is down to small details and luck. Other teams would never have climbed as high as Roma did that night.”

What kind of team was the Roma side you played in?

“An incredible team that always stepped onto the pitch to win and take control of the game. I was lucky to be a part of it.”

And you had Nils Liedholm as your coach.

“He was a fantastic person and a wonderful coach. Publicly he always defended me in front of the press, even when I had put in terrible performances, but then in private he'd say: “I'll see you tomorrow at training to improve on today.”

What memories do you have of the team?

“I got on with everyone, but in particular the captain Agostino Di Bartolomei and Bruno Conti made me feel right at home. They gave me one piece of advice in particular...”

And what was that?

“To wear leather boots with metal studs. I used rubber moulds in Brazil but that didn't go well in Europe. I was slipping all over the place. I also noticed another big difference when I arrived in Rome...”

Which was?

“The players turned up for matches in jacket and tie. You always had to look smart. I was used to a more relaxed style. Nevertheless, I don't just remember the big-name players of that era like Agostino and Bruno, whom I've already mentioned, or other stars like Roberto Pruzzo, Aldo Maldera and Carlo Ancelotti. I had a great relationship with the young guys coming through as well, like Ubaldo Righetti, Giuseppe Giannini and Stefano Desideri.”

It seems you didn't have any problems fitting in.

“Not really, although for the first 30 or 40 days I was struggling to get my bearings. But then I realised that people from Rome are very similar to Brazilians. They can easily tell you where to go, but then a minute later they're offering you a coffee in a bar.”

And what did you think of Roma fans?

“Spectacular. Passionate and noisy like the supporters of Atletico Mineiro, my home team. They really were our 12th man on the pitch, that's not just a throwaway phrase.”

Those same fans still remember you today and have voted you into Roma's Hall of Fame.

“I thank them with all my heart, they've really given me a boost in this time of my life. It means I must have done something good in a Giallorossi shirt. I'm proud you still think fondly of me.”

- Toninho Cerezo