Brazil players more concerned about marketing themselves: Lucio

The Brazil team that won the 2002 World Cup had the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Cafu and yourself. How did a side filled with so many talented superstars gel?We got along and gelled well because everyone respected each other. Everyone knew their role in the team as they were very serious and hardworking professionals. There were some big names and some big egos in the dressing room but the most important factor was that everyone was focussed towards one goal: to win for the country.After the 2002 World Cup, Brazil have had two quarterfinal and a semifinal finish. Where are they going wrong?I think what has changed in Brazilian football in these years and shouldn't have changed is the discipline and focus of the players. Nowadays, players are more concerned about marketing themselves rather than improving on their football. There is more individualism rather than team spirit, which is essential for a team to grow. Players should help one another to develop and become better in training and their play.The perfect example that comes to my mind is the German national team, which is the best team in my opinion. All teams need to be like them: focussed and dedicated to reach its goals. Things have changed in Brazil in recent times for players aspiring to be professional footballers because it's not always that the best players play or feature in clubs. There is a lot of politics involved regarding agents, scouts and officials in Brazilian football. I strongly believe that this is the reason for the decrease in the performance as well as the level of Brazilian football and its national team.You were with Bayern Munich from 2004-2009, but you wanted to be with the club for the rest of your career. Do you hold any grudges against the then manager Louis van Gaal for forcing you out of the club in 2009?I remember I had a word with him once and he told me that he wasn't going to play me. I immediately got an offer from Inter Milan, so probably he looks at the style and discipline of players. Maybe he had another way of changing the philosophy of the team and the way he wanted the team to be formed. So, he told me I wouldn't feature in his plans and I moved to another club (Inter Milan).How did it feel when you beat Bayern Munich to win the Champions League in 2010, and that too against Van Gaal?It's always a strange feeling playing against your former club because you meet a lot of your former teammates and friends. I spent many years at the club and had built relations with many people there. But there is always a desire to win, and thus you have to forget all those things on the football pitch and focus on your team and give your best. Against Van Gaal, there was nothing personal and it was just like any other game that our team had to win.No one expected Inter Milan to beat Barcelona over two legs in the 2010 Champions League. But Jose Mourinho did just that with your team. What makes the man so 'special'?I think Mourinho is the best coach I have played under. He is very smart and technical in his managerial techniques and the way he manages the players in the team. He is not like other managers. He works with each player and with the psychology of each player and this helped me a lot to win the title in Milan.Where does Zico rank amongst the top managers? Was he the prime reason why you decided to play for FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL)?Zico is ranked at the highest level in Brazilian football as well as world football. He has achieved a lot as a player. I'm sure he will want to do the same as a coach at FC Goa. I felt like I needed a new challenge in my career and I felt the ISL was the best option. It's a well organised tournament and playing under Zico will help me win the title for the team and for myself. Zico played a huge part in convincing me to come to India and I wanted to help him make FC Goa win the title.You played alongside some of the most talented players in Europe and Brazil. Who were the best players you played with and against in your career?I feel any defender will agree with me that marking Lionel Messi is very difficult in any game. He can trouble any defence and I found it difficult to mark him. Even Cristiano Ronaldo is a good player and I admire both for their professionalism despite their fame and success.KNOW LUCIOFull Name: Lucimar Ferreira da SilvaDate of Birth: May 8, 1978Clubs: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan

Honours* Won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil* Won the FIFA Confederations Cup with Brazil in 2005 and 2009* Won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich (2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08)* Was part of the treble-winning Inter Milan side (League Cup, Champions League and Serie A in 2009-10)