Experienced midfielder Gilberto Silva said on Wednesday that Brazil were “not here to have a good time” but win a sixth title as they prepared to start on their World Cup campaign in South AFrica.
“We are not here to have a good time — our message is we want to be champions,” said the Panathinaikos veteran and former Arsenal man.
“If I told you we shall be champions then I’ll need a crystal ball. I cannot say that but since we started working three and a half years ago to get here that’s what we have been working towards — to get to the final and win it.”
He added that with his experience of lifting the trophy in 2002 and his presence in 2006 “I have the potential to make a big contribution.”
Although he is not in the twilight of his career at 33 he added that the issue of his age “at one stage annoyed me — but since it has been a source of inspiration. You can be sure of my motivation. I owe that to myself after all the criticism of which I have been the object.”
Gilberto won his 93rd cap in the warm-up win over Tanzania on Monday and he hopes now to start on June 15 against North Korea in Johannesburg. Brazil also face Portugal and Ivory Coast in Group G. — AFP