Saul joined the South American giant Flamengo this summer. He is about to participate in the South American Libertadores Cup final. Recently, he accepted "Lance!" 》 magazine interview, Saul talked about Flamengo's advancement to the final, Brazil's venues and referees, participation in the World Cup and other topics.

On Felipe becoming his own coach

"It's never easy to play alongside teammates you've played with before. For me, that's the hardest part because even if you make the tactics, your impression of Felipe is already ingrained. It can even lead to intra-squad rivalry. But he handles it very well, very naturally. This makes us The communication is very smooth and the collision of ideas is always for the benefit of the team. I never thought it would be like this before. And, logically, he has spent most of his career in Europe, so he has a lot of European football ideas, because the level is very balanced everywhere. ."

About Flamengo advancing to the final

"This is very beautiful and worth cherishing. People think that because Flamengo is a rich team and has reached the final many times in recent years, it devalues the importance of participating in the Copa Libertadores final, but in fact, it is very, very important that we can experience the final again. Many players, including those on the current team, may never have the chance to reach the finals again. Being young does not mean that the opportunity will come again. So it is important to seize this opportunity and work hard to win."

Can winning the Copa Libertadores make up for the regret of not winning the Champions League?

"For me, the two have nothing to do with each other. What happened in the past stays in the past. That's a mark you always carry. Of course, winning important titles like the Copa Libertadores helps, but it doesn't change the past. What happened there was very painful. But now we have the opportunity to win two very important titles. And wearing a Flamengo jersey, because of the love I received since my arrival, it's It makes everything more special. That's why everything is more important, not because of the championship itself, but because of the people here. The care I received makes me feel special, so I want to repay it with championships and dedication, because there are good and bad games, but I want them to feel at ease knowing that we will do our best to represent the club. "

The level of venues and refereeing in Brazilian football is behind Europe.

"Yes, it is. Very, very different. Because at the end of the day, especially in terms of refereeing, everything is very different there. Very different. And the level here is much lower than elsewhere in Europe. Not in Spain - because I'm not saying that Spanish referees are the best - but in Europe, in the Champions League In England, referees make the game flow and make the game better. "

About turf

"As for the turf, it's the same thing. At the end of the day, you have to provide the best facilities and optimal conditions to improve the level of football as much as possible. Some clubs are financially constrained from having top quality turf, but at least they can maintain it and the league has to provide support, as they do in Spain. If I recall correctly, the situation has improved dramatically in the last four years, with the introduction of a dedicated fund for clubs, but this money must be dedicated to sports facilities - nothing. Whether it is a training center or a stadium. This gradually improves everything and ultimately attracts more people. It is important that a European player coming to play in the Brazilian league, for example, will encounter artificial grass pitches - which do not exist in Europe. "

There is a possibility of being selected for the Spanish national team for the 2026 World Cup.

"Look, I don't think about this. I just want to enjoy the moment, enjoy every day, enjoy what I do. If I'm lucky enough and the coach trusts me, I will be very honored to represent my country. The level of the Spanish national team is very high. Today, it is not just a team A national team, it's more like a team within a national team - which is great. Of course, during the game, you always want to be in the national team, but my main goal is to enjoy what I do, to be happy here and to have peace of mind. Go enjoy every day. "

Yamar and Nico Williams

"Like Nico Williams, he is a different type of player. With these two players, they have such excellent vertical advancement ability, which can be very effective for the team's cooperative play. The possibilities are endless. It makes the team's attack more comprehensive and more advantageous. It's not just about passing the ball: you can also use the speed. In my opinion, they bring a very, very good balance to the team."