Thirty years later, Parisian supporters have not forgotten Valdo.
The Brazilian had landed in the capital in 1991 when Canal + arrived.
He was one of the first flagship recruits of the time with his compatriot Ricardo.
In four years, he won the championship (1994), two French Cups (1993 and 1995) and made an impression with unforgettable European campaigns, including that of 1993 with the memorable victory against Real Madrid in Par c.
What did PSG look like in the early 1990s?
VALDO
.
When I arrived, PSG struggled almost every year not to go down to L2.
After the arrival of Ricardo, Geraldao and I but also Ginola, Le Guen or Bravo, PSG has grown.
We progressed by finishing 3rd in D1 in 1992 then 2nd the following year and champion in 1994. Each season, new players came to strengthen the team like Weah who came from Monaco.
The PSG thus became stronger and stronger.
Why did you join PSG?
After three seasons at Benfica, I had proposals from Roma, Fiorentina and AC Milan.
But, the presence of Ricardo weighed a lot in my choice to come to PSG, because I consider him as a brother.
There was also Geraldao and coach Artur Jorge.
I spoke a lot with Michel Denisot
(Editor's note: the president)
.
The project was magnificent.
We wanted to write the history of PSG.
Did you feel this rise of the club?
From the start.
I spoke to Ricardo and told him: “There is something to do at this club.
We progressed as we went along.
I am very proud to have written a page for PSG.
What memories do you have of the UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid in 1993?
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It is one of the most beautiful of my career.
After the result of the first leg, everyone thought we were out.
Especially Real players.
Many criticized us in the press.
During the chat, Artur Jorge released an article.
He told us, “If you have c… you're going to make a difference today.
We looked at each other, we wanted to play a great game and it became the emblematic game.
Even today, everyone talks to me about this PSG-Real.
Valdo, here fighting with Madrid's Robert Prosinecki, was the author of a goal and two assists against Real.
LP
Is this the greatest game of your career?
Yes.
I was involved on all four goals
(Editor's note: one achievement, two assists and the origin of the last goal)
.
I felt pleasure.
It's a magical match!
Tell us about this brilliant fake hit on 3rd base ...
It happened very quickly, it's instinct!
You have to control the ball and at the same time the opponent.
When I saw Ricardo Rocha
(the Madrid defender)
, I said to myself “I'm going to do the fake shot and he will turn his back on the game”.
That's what happened and I scored a great goal.
The club had achieved a great feat by reaching the European semi-finals five years in a row ...
We had talent but afterwards, love and friendship made the difference.
If you don't have love and friendship, you won't do anything even with very good players.
Today, Kylian Mbappé is the only French holder 100%.
This was not the case in our time before the Bosman decision.
We were four foreigners (Ricardo, Raí, Weah and him) for three places.
If we compare the two teams, we did not have such a strong squad.
How did Raí get to PSG?
It was I who gave the idea to Michel Denisot to recruit him.
He arrived very tired the first year after playing a lot of matches in Brazil, but then we saw the real Raí.
What is your worst memory ?
The moment I was dismissed by Luis Fernandez.
I never knew his reasons, but it's the coach who decides.
The only.
Until then I was 100% holder and after Luis's arrival it did not go well.
If the coach doesn't want you, you have two options: either stay and get confused with everyone, or you leave the club.
I opted for the second option.
Which player has marked you the most during this period?
There are many.
Come on, the Weah-Ginola duo.
David, that was the best for me.
When we were embarrassed during our matches, we would clear the ball towards them.
Weah was able to tell the difference on his own.
He could dribble 3, 4 players and then score.
We had maybe the two best forwards in the world.
What do you think of the evolution of PSG since the arrival of the Qataris?
I am happy.
I follow all PSG matches like a supporter.
The players now have a lot of resources.
Each year they get closer to the goal of winning the C1.
There is a Brazilian tradition at PSG.
What attracts you so much to Paris?
First it is the city of Paris then the PSG.
All the Brazilians who have worn the PSG jersey have spoken well in the country.
So good Auriverde players have always been interested in playing at PSG and even more today with the means of the Qataris.
With Neymar, PSG has gone a step further ...
He is one of the best.
Neymar makes the difference at all times.
Does Kylian Mbappé have a Brazilian side?
No.
He is quite simply an artist.
Kylian, he's the boss!
He has improvisation, strength, explosion, relaxation, speed… in short, he has it all!
He forms an exceptional duo next to Neymar.
Many defenders should not sleep well the day before they face PSG!
