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[Lions Abroad] Felipe Da Fonseca

August 31, 2017 News

Interview of Felipe Da Fonseca

FB: How have you been Felipe ?
FDF: I’ve been doing quite well even thought my family and I struggled to get used to our life in our French country after time spent in China. Now everything is ok and despite some injuries I’ve got these past years (knee and the most important was broken hamstring tendons).

FB: Tell us where you live now and what job you are doing ?
FDF: We are now living in Grenoble which is a famous city for its mountaineering area. I am now running my own company in recruiting and HR area.

FB: Your daughter was at a young age a better player than you did she continue to play in France ?
FDF: Ahah, she is still much better than me and now playing in the major women soccer club of the city in under 18th category. She’s like her father, a harsh defender.

FB: When did you leave China and why you never came back ?
FDF: I left china in July 2013, came back in 2014 (played with lions) and we’d love to come to visit our friends and lions’ family as soon as possible but the opportunity and my new position did not permit it yet.

FB: Do you miss China and if so what about China you miss ?
FDF: Yes my family and I miss China. I miss the peaceful life in China, the safety feeling you have when chilling outside even late in the night, the dynamic city life with everything opened anytime, food and most of everything the lions family !

FB: How is your Mandarin ?
FDF: Very bad !

FB: Are you playing in France if so which team you play for and how is the level ?
FDF: I am playing in France but not within a club. We meet on Saturday morning and we play 7 aside games. Level would be comparable with the one we played in Luwan on Monday evening and organized by Azz and Kevin. My daughter is now playing in Grenoble (GF38) woman team in U18 in regional level meeting teams such as St Etienne, Evian… Besides that, I am responsible for the woman section in that club which best team is playing in French National Division 2 championship. The goal this year is to access the 1st division and then play against teams like Lyon, Marseille, Paris and so on.

FB: During your time with the Lions you became famous for your playing style as you were like a razorblade playing on the edge every game ? Were you born like that and how did you motivate yourself before each game to play like a razor blade ?
FDF: I think that this was my main game style since my younger age and when I enter the field it is for winning and only the victory was important, that’s why I don’t need extra motivation. I loved playing against shooters and azzuris and that French team on Sunday league. Games with a bit of tension are my favorites

FB: You seemed to collect cards during your spill with the Lions ? Is there a booking or sending off you remember all the time ?
FDF: Actually, I did not remember being sent off so often but the one that will probably stay in my mind is the one in Phuket.

FB: What was the highlight for you playing with the Lions ?
FDF: It was when we beat every team and the lions won again the SIFL championship and we also won the cup that year. Also one of my best records was when we won the masters. Most of all I loved the after games with all the team gathering together.

FB: Have you scored for the Lions ?
FDF: OF COURSE ! and several times maybe more than our “Pivot” striker haha

FB: You have been to Phuket a few times with the Lions ? Any interesting details you can share with us ?
FDF: Hummm… tricky question… what happens in Phuket must stay in Phuket but for a team building stage this is awesome for a team: lot of good games and fun as well. Just one small detail that I could share here is when Allan our fantastic Belgian player was chilling on the beach completely naked.

FB: Portugal became European Champion last year how did you celebrate it ?
FDF: Actually, I was supporting the French team but my daughter Manon was for Portugal and went crazy singing and shouting everywhere.

FB: Have you seen other Lions abroad since you left ?
FDF: Yes I’ve been with our former goalkeeper Tom in Paris and with Fred Guilloux (“donnez-moi le là…..”) when he came to Grenoble.

FB: As you know we have a succesfull Shanghai Lions Legends team now ! What do we need to do to make you come over and play with the Legends for a couple of years ?
FDF: I’ve seen that this team is growing a lot and that’s fantastic, I would be honored to play again for the lions but I am afraid my professional situation now is not leading me to visit or live in China. You can still invite me and I will do my best to come.

FB: Do you miss the Shooters ?
FDF: Yes a lot for those tense games we had ! I loved playing hard and win against those guys.

FB: Anything else?
FDF: I just would like to conclude that you guys made and are making a terrific job with this club and I know what energy is required for that as now I am part of a club to be developed. You are the Lions spirit and this a unique club and team with big humans values ! I LOVED THAT. Go on and if I can help in anything I will do it.

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