Felipe Rocha

Latest articles by Felipe Rocha

Steve McClaren and the FC Twente players celebrate after winning the Dutch Eredivisie title in 2010.
‘When Steve McClaren needed to be tough and make you understand something directly, he did. He knew how to get his ideas across’ Bryan Ruiz on his former FC Twente boss

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The ex-Costa Rica and Fulham forward played under the former England boss in the Netherlands

EXCLUSIVE
Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz celebrates a goal against Italy at the 2014 World Cup.
‘We were in the Group of Death at the 2014 World Cup, but we beat Italy and should have won against England too’ Bryan Ruiz on Costa Rica’s run to the quarter-finals

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Costa Rica won a group that featured Uruguay, Italy and England in the 2018 World Cup

EXCLUSIVE
Bryan Ruiz
‘I didn’t want to go to Fulham at first, but I don’t regret it’ Bryan Ruiz reveals truth behind Craven Cottage transfer

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Costa Rica forward arrived at Craven Cottage from FC Twente in 2011

EXCLUSIVE
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Newcastle in January 2008.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo told us to join Manchester United. We were considering their offer, then he phoned to say that it only rained in Manchester but that it was great fun too’: How the Portuguese legend convinced Brazilian stars to sign for Red Devils

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Cristiano Ronaldo helped Manchester United make some key signings in 2007

EXCLUSIVE
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Robin van Persie of Manchester United celebrates scoring their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on September 23, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
‘Sir Alex told Van Persie to watch my goal back at Anfield for some shooting tips! It was a beautiful goal, though. It’s a shame that I didn’t do it more often’: Manchester United cult hero recalls stunning strike against Liverpool

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Manchester United won the game 2-1 at Liverpool in September 2012, with Robin van Persie told to learn from the incredible strike from the side's cult hero

EXCLUSIVE
Louis van Gaal
'Louis Van Gaal was the worst manager I’ve ever worked with in my career. On only his second day in the job, he looked me in the face and said, "I don’t like you": Rafael da Silva on why his Manchester United career came to an end

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Rafael da Silva and his twin brother Fabio arrived at Old Trafford as teenagers in 2008

EXCLUSIVE
SHIZUOKA, JAPAN - JUNE 21: WM 2002 in JAPAN und KOREA, Shizuoka; Match 57/VIERTELFINALE/ENGLAND - BRASILIEN (ENG - BRA) 1:2; hintere Reihe v.li.: EDMILSON, LUCIO, Gilberto SILVA, ROQUE JUNIOR, TORWART MARCUS, CAFU; vordere Reihe v.li.: RONALDINHO, RONALDO, Roberto CARLOS, RIVALDO, KLEBERSON/BRA TEAM/MANNSCHAFT (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
‘Brazil didn’t panic against England in 2002 – their style of play made it easier to defend, even with 10 men, and we held on without too much fear of losing’: Selecao star reveals confidence during World Cup quarter-final

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Brazil were confident they could overturn their 1-0 scoreline against England in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final

EXCLUSIVE
Roque Junior
‘I received offers from Bolton and Newcastle, but they didn’t progress far. Then Leeds came in – I saw it as a chance to experience a new league and country’: How World Cup winner Roque Junior ended up at Leeds United

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Leeds United thought they had pulled off a transfer coup when they landed World Cup winner Roque Junior in 2003

EXCLUSIVE
‘Ruben is no miracle-maker. This year will be complicated and fans need to be patient, but he’s a perfectionist. He’s amazing at understanding players’ minds’: Manchester United manager will need time to implement ideas, says Amorim's former player

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Manchester United need to accept that this season might hurt with Ruben Amorim, but they'll reap the rewards later

Stories
Manchester United are said to be in the market for a new midfielder this month
‘Amorim’s starting point is completely different to Arne Slot’s. How long will it take? F**king hell, god knows. He must be very convinced about himself’: Ex-Manchester United coach highlights how much time is needed to turn things around

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Manchester United are under new management once again, with a former first team coach suggesting just how confident Ruben Amorim was to take the job

Stories
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Luis Díaz of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
‘After the issues he’s dealt with, he deserves so much credit. You want to see a player taking players on, showing their skills, scoring goals. Luis Diaz is that guy’: Liverpool star impressing with strong performances, especially after difficult period

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Liverpool star Luis Diaz has earned high praise from a former Reds striker, who has been particularly impressed with his rise to form

EXCLUSIVE
'He already had the ability but didn’t use it because he was afraid to shoot – I said, "You’re a player who has to decide games – you have to take risks, mate"': Liverpool star was forced to become confident by team-mates

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Liverpool acquired a brilliant attacker, but before joining he had a fear of failure

Stories
Endrick Real Madrid attacker recieves praise Neymar Ronaldinho Ronaldo
'Endrick is special - he belongs to that group of super-talented players that Brazil has produced in the past: Neymar, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo': Real Madrid wonderkid receives high praise

By Felipe Rocha, Ed McCambridge Published

Endrick has been compared to three Brazil greats - in a serious vote of confidence

Stories
David Beckham and fellow team mates of Milan Team celebrate during the Serie A match between AC Siena and AC Milan at the Artemio Franchi Stadio on MARCH 15, 2009 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by New Press/Getty Images)
‘At Milan, I waited for everyone to leave the dressing room and find out what aftershave David Beckham was wearing – I still use the same one today’: Brazilian star highlights his admiration for Becks

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Milan had a raft of huge names playing for them when David Beckham joined in 2009 - but one star had huge admiration for the Englishman

Stories
Chelsea's Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato (L) applauds fans after the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on April 2, 2016. / AFP / OLI SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil star claims shock 2016 Chelsea move offered 'invaluable experience' - despite making just two appearances

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Chelsea's loan signing seemed like a gimmick in 2016, but the Brazil striker moving to the club saw it as a dream come true

Stories
Jose Mourinho during his time at Inter Milan
'I don’t regret that choice' Former Chelsea and Barcelona star reveals Jose Mourinho wanted him at Inter Milan – but he turned the move down

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Chelsea man was in demand ahead of Inter Milan's treble-winning season

EXCLUSIVE
Arsenal star Luis Boa Morte during the match between Arsenal Legends and Real Madrid Legends at Emirates Stadium on September 8, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Former Arsenal star Luis Boa Morte picks his all-time best teammates – with a surprise choice of manager

By Felipe Rocha Published

Arsenal cult hero Luis Boa Morte chooses Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp… and Avram Grant

Stories
Ricardo's Perfect XI
Ricardo's Perfect XI: "Cristiano Ronaldo will break every record that you can ever imagine"

By Felipe Rocha Last updated

INTERVIEW Former Portugal goalkeeper – and World Cup and Euros shootout hero – Ricardo lists the greatest players he ever shared a pitch with

INTERVIEW
Kaka AC Milan
Kaka answers YOUR questions: “Manchester City wanted me to become one of their leaders on the pitch – but I didn’t think it was the right time to leave Milan”

By Felipe Rocha Published

Kaka won the World Cup, Champions League and countless league titles with AC Milan, Real Madrid and Brazil in a storied career. But how did the playmaker recover from a fractured spine and why did he touch Old Big Ears before the 2005 Champions League Final? He answers your questions...

Stories
Ricardo, Portugal, Euro 2004
"People probably weren't happy with me!" - Ricardo on breaking English hearts, twice

By Felipe Rocha Published

Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo denied the Three Lions at Euro 2004 – then did it again at the World Cup two years later

Interviews
Marcos Senna, Spain, Euro 2008
"It was unreal, but it happened" - Marcos Senna on Spain's Euro 2008 triumph

By Felipe Rocha Published

Marcos Senna bagged Euros success with La Roja after shining for Villarreal – and nearly signing for Manchester United

Interviews
Alisson Becker, Liverpool
Alisson exclusive: “I know the feeling of winning a Champions League final, and I want to feel it again and again” – FFT meets the Liverpool goalkeeper

By Felipe Rocha Published

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson reveals his goals for this season and how not listening to Jurgen Klopp sometimes pays off

Stories
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Hulk: Steamroller your opponents

By Felipe Rocha Published

Hulk Zenit’s Brazilian star shares his tips, from shooting like a tank to dominating a defender

Hulk
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Interview: Kenedy – Chelsea's boy from Brazil is playing for more than Coca Cola now

By Felipe Rocha Published

Kenedy The Chelsea starlet chats to FourFourTwo to discuss his adjustment to London life, impressing Mourinho and getting his big break in testing circumstances...

Kenedy
Portrait: Antoine Doyen
The big interview: Dani Alves – "I don’t hide my admiration for Guardiola and will to play in the Premier League"

By Felipe Rocha Last updated

The Big Interview So why did he snub Pep and Man City? How did Barça keep battering Arsenal? Can he still milk a cow? Your questions answered in December 2017 ...

The Big Interview
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