Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been exploring the different worlds of five-a-side and futsal, as part of our Umbro Vs campaign, but today we get to hear about it from one of the finest futsal players on the planet. You’ve already seen his skills in action in the video above, and here’s a quick chat we had with futsal superstar Falcão about the game and why he thinks it’s the finest form of football…

Futsal isn’t that well known at the moment over here in the UK. For anyone who hasn’t played it before, how would you describe it?

‘Futsal is a team sport and very simple to play. For a fun game between friends, you just need 10 players, a ball and a pitch to start the game. I guess futsal nowadays is played by many children and adults without distinction of age or gender. The rules are very clear and straight to the point so any child will be able to learn. It’s no wonder that futsal is the most practiced sport all over the world.’

What’s the main difference between futsal and 11-a-side football?

‘The difference is not just the 11 players but also the space and the thinking during the game, because futsal is more dynamic than 11-a-side football. I’ve had the experience of playing football, and I can assure you that playing football is easier than futsal. In football, the bigger space provides a privileged view, making it easier. In futsal spaces are smaller and decisions have to be made in a matter of seconds.’

There seems to be a strong idea of fun and humour when playing futsal, is that important?

‘Yes, this is very important. Since I was a kid I like to have fun when playing futsal and if there was ever a time when I didn’t have fun while playing, maybe it would be time to quit. Happiness and fun are central to the idea behind futsal. I can say that, although I do have fun while working, it’s always with objectivity and determination.’

What could the world of football learn from futsal?

‘Futsal is the place where many future football stars players started out. There’s lots of great Brazilian players that have played futsal and gone on to become famous in football. Some examples are: Ronaldo Fenomeno, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Rivaldo, Ricardinho, Rivelino, Robinho, Neymar, Paulo Ganso, Alex, and many more. If you analyse the technical skills of these players, you’ll see that they all have skills from futsal. It helps them to process information and tricks in small sided games, making them outstanding players in comparison to others.’

And vice-versa – what could futsal learn from football?

‘Both follow the same way of thinking, but with different dimensions. Football and futsal are complementary. They will always be together both in tactics and in technical ideas. ‘

How did you get into playing futsal?

‘My dad used to play “várzea” football and futsal and I was always following him to the games. I always had a special relationship with the ball, and I realised that I would be able to find success through this relationship. My family always supported me in terms of practicing sports, and then I started to play for “Clube Guapira” and began in the world of futsal. Some time passed, and then I went to Corinthians, where I learned the tactics and technical side of the game, improving my skills and fulfilling my dream to be a professional player. ‘

When did you realise that you were a great player, and that futsal rather than regular football was for you?

‘When I went to Corinthians and used to play really well in the games, the coach always directed me to train for football, but that was not what I was looking for, so I always went back to futsal. My life is futsal, the dynamic provided by futsal is beautiful, and that’s what inspires me to practice and play futsal every day.’

What kind of skills does a futsal player need to succeed?

‘Skill is not a prime factor for a futsal player. The technical, the tactical and, most of all, loving the sport are most important.’

Who were your footballing heroes when you were growing up?

‘There were so many. But I really liked Vander Iacovino, Douglas and Jackson, all of them used to play futsal and I learned so much with them.’

Futsal could be seen as quite a South American thing, do you think that European players can excel at the game?

‘Futsal is a global sport, for example Spain have twice been world champions, while Russia, Portugal and Italy are recognised as great teams. Europe really excels at futsal, but I still think the Europeans need to evolve their youth ranks for players, like Brazil who do it very well.’

It seems like part of the culture in Brazil, where you’re from. Do you think it fits with Brazilian music and dancing? Would you ever listen to music whilst playing? If so, what would you listen to?

‘Yes, futsal combines with music and dancing, if you analyse the futsal tricks you’ll see an artist, a wizard or even a dancer, because the “ginga” is about us Brazilians. I really like music and I’m very eclectic with my tastes, I like listening to good music, as I like to do good tricks !’

Do you think that futsal could ever be as popular, or more popular, than football?

‘Futsal is very popular and practiced all over the world. May be the great difference is about the marketing and advertisement work, which is not explored globally. In Brazil it is not this way, we have great sponsors and media in general that support futsal. The unique difference between football and futsal is we are not an Olympic sport as football is.’

Thanks to Falcão for taking the time to answer our questions, and for showcasing his skills in our video! For more information on our Umbro Vs range, take a look at Umbro.com, and remember that if you’re in a 5-a-side team and want to be in with a chance of playing at Wembley, the FA Umbro Fives is now open for applicants – click here to sign up.