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The Brazilian hotshot who loves playing his football in Bahrain is looking forward to leading his latest club to glory.
The signing of the popular goal-scoring talisman, Leandson Dias Da Silva, popularly known as Rico, has set all eyes on ambitious Manama Club as the new 2011-12 season kicks off with the capital’s side hoping to prize open the stranglehold on league and cup trophies from the likes of Muharraq and Riffa.
Rico, who recently signed a one-year contract with Manama, said: “I want to keep on winning!”
Manama Club coach Khalid Saleh Taj is thrilled to have a professional and experienced player such as the Brazilian on the squad and is confident that his skills will rub off on the rest of the team.
He said: “Rico has a lot of experience playing in Bahrain’s premier league and is a true professional. He pushes and motivates the players, especially the younger ones, in my squad.
“The board members and the team are very happy with him and his performance. Rico is also great with the spectators. I see fans waiting for him outside the club just to say hi.
“Rico truly loves this kingdom and it shows. He has been given some great offers by clubs all over the GCC but this is where he chose to be. I believe he will be very beneficial to the team and that we stand a fighting chance.
“In my opinion, this generation of Manama players are quite good and look like champions. We are currently in the fifth week of training and things have been going well. I am preparing them physically and mentally.”
In two weeks time the squad will face Al Shabab Club in the first round of the King’s Cup competition, which begins on September 15. They will face tough competition from the likes of defending champions Riffa and 28-time Cup winners Muharraq.
The Manama Club is ranked fifth in the Bahraini league and have signed up two professionals – Egyptian Olympic footballer Ali Al Ghazal and 30-year-old Rico.
According to coach Khalid, another pro-footballer will be joining the squad as well, either from Egypt or Brazil. However, for the time being, Rico’s presence alone should cause some concern for the other clubs as he is gunning for silverware.
He said: “This is our year, our season. We have some really good players on the squad and they gel well together. My teammates are fighters. They go after every opportunity that comes their way and that is what I like to see. I have only been playing with Manama for a month now and I already feel like I have improved with this team, more so than with any other. This was a good choice for me and I am happy to be here.”
Rico began his professional career with Sao Paulo FC, where he played on the same team as Brazil international and AC Milan midfielder Kaka.
He played with Muharraq Club for five years and helped them to a number of league titles, Cup victories, and the first-ever win for any Bahraini team in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Cup. While with Muharraq in 2008, Rico scored 19 goals in 11 games, which fetched him the title of ‘The World’s Top Goal Scorer’ awarded by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. He is also the all-time leading scorer in the AFC Cup.
Rico trains twice a day, in the morning on his own and in the evening with the squad. He believes that in order to excel one must work hard at it. Aside from that he spends most of his time with wife Viviani, and two boys Edson, 10, and Junior, four, in their home in Amwaj. Edson also plays with the Manama Club and hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Rico said: “I love Bahrain and I believe that this is a great place to raise a family. I have lived here for six years and never faced any problems. Everyone is so friendly and supportive.
“I would love to thank my fans, coaches, the team and Bahrain Football Association for all that they have done for me. I want to make the kingdom proud someday … perhaps helping the Bahrain National Team to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. I would love to be a part of the team.”
