Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto has played with Gianluigi Buffon, Lionel Messi and Neymar – but says joining the Cherries has made him fall back in love with football.
Brazilian Neto is a player with a remarkable resume. He has played for Barcelona, Juventus, Fiorentina and Brazil, as well as being capped by Brazil.
The 33-year old, who moved to Bournemouth in summer from Barca, claims he has found his happy spot on the south coast.
“I decided to make the move because I always wanted to play in the Premier League,” he told talkSPORT. “I wanted to play and to feel good and to enjoy football again.
“I can say now I am enjoying the football again, so I am happy.
“I am enjoying it a lot. I was blessed to bring the beautiful weather here and I’m very happy.
“I try to put in every day what I learned from these big names, but football is not just about big names. It is about people who are able to learn and improve every day.
“It was a good moment in my career, playing with one of the best goalkeepers in history and a big personality.
“He [Buffon]He is a great person and I had the opportunity to play with him. I feel like I’m a better player because I had the chance to play with them.
“I am lucky, but I always work hard for it. You don’t get lucky.
“My biggest influence was my dad. Brazil’s goalkeeper, he was also my dad. He was part of several clubs, and I wanted to be a goalkeeper when I was young.
“I always want to see him train and I love him so he is the number one for me.
“He was my coach and was on the pitch when he had time to give me some advice. It was amazing and he helped me a lot.”
Neto is yet to taste defeat in five Premier League games ahead of Saturday’s trip to Fulham, live on talkSPORT2.
He added: “I am happy with the results. I am very competitive and don’t like to lose and we are in a good moment, so we have to keep going.
“We are working with a lot of intensity and the mentality is very positive. We make a great team.
“Fulham will be a very difficult game. We both know that they need the win and we also need it. We both came from the Championship and want to keep in the Premier League.
“We have to be focused, have to keep going and have to keep pushing and if we do that, we have a chance of a good result.”
Neto was signed by Scott Parker but had not even made his debut when the former England midfielder was sacked as Bournemouth manager and replaced by interim Gary O’Neil.
He said: “This is football and everything can change in a minute. The guys were prepared for it, and I am happy for Gary O’Neil because it was important he got some positive results.
“We have to keep working and we can do great things.
“Me and Junior [Stanislas]The most experienced guys in the locker room. It is a first for me, so I enjoy it and am happy to help the club and the team.
“We have a great opportunity to have a good season.”
Bournemouth’s 2-1 win over Leicester last weekend was watched by new American owner Bill Foley, whose £120m takeover is soon to be ratified by the Premier League.
Neto said: “The owner brought good luck for us. He won the lottery and started on the right track. It is nice he came to say hello and now it’s his wallet.
“His job and our job is to keep going on the pitch and see what will happen.”
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