Latest articles by Marcus Alves

Edu at Arsenal: why Brazil’s general manager arrives with baggage in north London
By Marcus Alves
Arsenal The former midfielder has agreed to return to north London – but what can Gunners expect from their new (old) man?Â

What happened to Kerlon? The forgotten seal dribbler who entertained the world
By Marcus Alves
Kerlon Moura Souza He began as an online sensation for his mid-match trickery, and won a high-profile move to Europe with Inter Milan. Then he disappeared. So where did the Brazilian trickster go?

Why Lucas Moura is hitting headlines in Brazil – for the wrong reasons
By Marcus Alves
Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham’s in-form forward has enjoyed a fine start to the season in north London, but controversial opinions on social media have landed badly in his home nation, writes Marcus Alves

Meet Alisson Becker: Liverpool's world-record new goalkeeper "who can define an era"
By Marcus Alves
Alisson Becker On his way to Anfield as the most expensive goalkeeper ever, Alisson elicits the highest of praise from his Brazil coaches. Marcus Alves delivers the lowdown...

Philippe Coutinho: How Brazil's humble attacker became the critical piece in Tite's jigsaw
By Marcus Alves
Philippe Coutinho Neymar gets the headlines, but Philippe Coutinho is the player Brazil can't be without. Marcus Alves digs into the roots of his relationship with Brazil manager Tite

Brazil versus Neymar: how a superstar lost the love of his country
By Marcus Alves
Neymar Neymar may be Brazil's leading man at this World Cup, but a war is brewing between the country and its star striker, writes Marcus Alves

The inside story of Liverpool's potential deal for Ruben Neves – and Wolves's prospective replacement
By Marcus Alves
Ruben Neves Marcus Alves explains how super-agent Jorge Mendes works to keep clients and clubs happy – by ensuring everyone has a place at the table

Why Brazilians just don’t rate Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino
By Marcus Alves
Roberto Firmino His gifts have gradually become appreciated in England, but 'Bobby' has previously been labelled “the new Afonso Alves” in his home country. Marcus Alves explains all...

The 10 best South American teenagers in Football Manager 2018
By Marcus Alves
100 Best Teenagers Looking for some bright young things to lead your future in FM 2018? Marcus Alves runs down the finest U20 players from South America, all featured in our list of the 100 best teenagers in the world

Why Brazilians love Barcelona – and clubs like Liverpool will always get dumped en route
By Marcus Alves
Philippe Coutinho Philippe Coutinho is desperate to leave Anfield for the Camp Nou – but he’s far from the first Premier League player to crave a move to one of Spain’s Big Two. Marcus Alves explains an ingrained fascination

Why Philippe Coutinho wants to leave Liverpool: the inside story
By Marcus Alves
Philippe Coutinho The Brazilian is looking increasingly likely to be a Barcelona player. FFT contributor and Brazilian journalist Marcus Alves broke the story yesterday that Coutinho had asked to leave Anfield – and this is how it all went down

FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.3, Pele
By Marcus Alves
FFT 100 Greatest Football’s most iconic player, revered from South America to Europe, from the USA to Africa... it’s O Rei – the king himself

FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.10, Ronaldo
By Marcus Alves
FFT 100 Greatest O Fenomeno had every quality a striker could want. Only injuries and fitness could stop him

FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.11, Garrincha
By Marcus Alves
FFT 100 Greatest Brazil’s two-time World Cup winner is remembered even more for his wonderful trickery than his many triumphs

FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.16, Zico
By Marcus Alves
FFT 100 Greatest Brazil’s great entertainer and goalscorer is the closest thing the nation had to a second Pele

FourFourTwo’s 50 Best Football Managers in the World 2017: No.15, Tite
By Marcus Alves
FFT 50 Managers The successful Brazilian club manager has enjoyed an instant impact with the national side, rebuilding confidence after a string of major tournament disappointments

FourFourTwo’s 50 Best Football Managers in the World 2017: No.18, Marcelo Gallardo
By Marcus Alves
FFT 50 Managers It’s not been a smooth year for the man labelled the Guardiola of South America (quite apt, then), but Gallardo’s achievements still mark him out as special

The big interview: Juninho – "When I got to Boro it was so cold I put newspaper inside my boots to help warm them up"
By Marcus Alves
The Big Interview Was Ronaldinho's goal against England a fluke? Was winning the League Cup better than the World Cup? And how did he play two games in one night?! Your questions answered in August 2015...

The big interview: Robinho – "I had a fight with Craig Bellamy once, but then who at City didn’t?!"
By Marcus Alves
The Big Interview Was it tough being ‘the next Pele’? Why did his move to Chelsea fall through? And did he really get the bus around Manchester? Your questions answered in March 2017...

How Brazil rediscovered their mojo, via Coutinho, Tite and some unlikely helpers
By Marcus Alves
Brazil That 7-1 crushing by Germany is long gone: Brazil are the first team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and are No.1 in the FIFA rankings for the first time in seven years. Marcus Alves explains why they’re a side transformed

Do footballers make good scouts?
By Marcus Alves
Manchester City Do footballers make good scouts? FFT spoke to former Chelsea defender and West Ham scout Emerson Thome about the transition from playing to unearthing talent.

Neymar Jr on futsal, street football and tricks
By Marcus Alves
Dribbling The Barcelona and Brazil forward talks about how small-sided games influenced his playing style
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