Chivu: “Messi or CR7? Ronaldo O Fenômeno”
Former Inter and Roma defender Cristian Chivu shared his insights on the evolving landscape of football, youth development, and the challenges faced by today’s players in an interview with Calciomercato. His journey from a young player in communist Romania to a respected coach offers a unique perspective on the sport. Chivu reflects on his childhood under a communist regime, saying, “I lived under the communist dictatorship until I was 9 years old. We didn’t have many choices, but we were together, and this made us happy. Fun depended on our creative capacity, which gave us purpose.” His father, a player The post Chivu: “Messi or CR7? Ronaldo O Fenômeno” appeared first on FootItalia.com.
Former Inter and Roma defender Cristian Chivu shared his insights on the evolving landscape of football, youth development, and the challenges faced by today’s players in an interview with Calciomercato. His journey from a young player in communist Romania to a respected coach offers a unique perspective on the sport.
Chivu reflects on his childhood under a communist regime, saying, “I lived under the communist dictatorship until I was 9 years old. We didn’t have many choices, but we were together, and this made us happy. Fun depended on our creative capacity, which gave us purpose.” His father, a player and coach, introduced him to football, taking him to summer training camps that shaped his early experiences.
Starting his professional career at just 14, Chivu recalls, “I began playing with a professional team in the Romanian Second Division and made my debut at 16.” He reminisces about the promotion year and how quickly he transitioned to Serie A. “At 16 and a half, I was already playing in Serie A for two years before moving to Craiova,” he adds.
Chivu has worked extensively with young players and challenges stereotypes about their capabilities. “To understand young people, it was necessary to work with them. They call it a distracted generation, but when you enter their hearts, you realize they are spectacular.” He emphasizes flexibility in player development: “Flexibility and knowledge during a player’s evolution add something extra to their personal experiences.”
He believes that adaptability is crucial for young players: “Convincing a boy to be adaptable allows him to grow faster and better.” Chivu acknowledges that today’s youth have access to vast information but insists that listening is key: “If I hadn’t worked with them, I might have had prejudices too.”
Chivu discusses the shift in football tactics: “We’ve moved from positional play to constant mobility around the ball carrier.” He observes that modern players are expected to be versatile: “Today’s players are accustomed to doing more things, knowing how to play out of position or role.”
Reflecting on coaching methods, he states, “In my time, coaches gave orders; what they said was law. Now it’s different; you have to earn their trust through interaction.” He believes that this change is beneficial for player development.
When asked about his strongest teammates, Chivu confidently names Ibrahimovic as the most formidable. For opponents, he cites Ronaldo: “After him, there’s only an abyss. Messi and Ronaldo don’t even compare.”
Chivu also highlights memorable moments with young talents like Giovanni Fabbian: “Giovanni is tough. The mental aspect is often underestimated; it’s what propels you forward.”
Chivu’s coaching philosophy centers on responsibility: “As a youth coach, you must look in the mirror as an educator. Few players reach the highest level; therefore, there must be a great sense of responsibility.” He expresses his desire for excellence: “I just want to coach. The only thing I don’t like is mediocrity.”
The post Chivu: “Messi or CR7? Ronaldo O Fenômeno” appeared first on FootItalia.com.
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