Caio Henrique: “I came to Atlético very young”

Caio Henrique (1997, Santos, Brazil) is living a dream season at Monaco. The Brazilian has become an indisputable piece for Niko Kovac at Monaco and dreams of playing for Brazil's senior team. The former Atlético de Madrid attends AS two days before a final on Sunday against Lille that may mark the future of the Monegasque team's season.

The first thing Caio wanted to ask him is if he is currently in the prime of his career. You are a starter at Monaco, the team works well and you have adapted very quickly.

I think it's very difficult to say something like that, because I was in Fluminense I was at a very high level, I played almost 60 games in one season. I feel good, I am very happy, little by little I am improving, helping the team and getting in shape. I think that is the most important thing for the team, that we are fighting for the top positions and I am very happy with that.

How was your move to Monaco? Was it difficult for you to make the decision to adapt to a league with a language other than the one you speak and that is characterized by the physical?

I was in Brazil for two years on loan. Then Atlético called me back and then I received the offer from Monaco. It was a good offer, it is a team that has ambitions in Europe and in which young people have minutes. The difference that I see with Brazil is that France is physical and strong, Brazil is more technical and more skilled. Here you find fast and intelligent forwards. We on the defensive line have to be vigilant.

Is it better for you to play with a 3-center system as you are doing now or do you also know how to adapt with 4 defenders? With Kovac's new system, you are playing well ahead and fairly close to the box, which is where you like it.

For us it is good to play with three centrals because we receive the ball higher. When we are in a line of 4 we play further back, for us it is easier that way. When we have the ball to attack, it is very good because I have freedom. I play as a playmaker or left winger. This way I am closer to the goal and be closer to the forwards and put centers on them.

What is the most difficult opponent you have faced?

The first game against PSG that was Di María and Mbappé, although he less for my band. So far I would say Di María. Neymar and Mbappé played on the left. There are other difficult forwards like those from Lille that you have to be vigilant because they are always looking for space. Those of Lyon also with their midfielders who are arrows. But for me Di María is the most difficult.

Now let's talk about his time at Atlético de Madrid. In 2016 he signed for the rojiblancos, but barely played a game in four years. Do you think they should have given you a chance to prove yourself on the team?

I came to Atlético very young. I had just turned 18 and I lacked a little experience. I got there and I had a team that had played in a Champions League final and it was a great team. I trained with them every week and learned a lot. At 20, I think it was time to start playing because the players of my generation in Brazil were playing in Europe. If I stayed at Atlético without playing, I was not called up with the national team and that is why I returned to Brazil to a team that had been promoted. There I had minutes and people could see me playing and that jump was the good part.

Do you think that in August you could have settled at Atlético?

Young people have difficulty playing. Atlético's first team has Saúl and he had to go on loan. That is experience. I tried my best to play and I think things have been this way because they have to be that way. Today I am very happy.

Is one of your objectives to return to the Spanish League one day? Would you like to try in Spain?

This is difficult for us. Some prefer one league and others another. I see it very easy because it is an easy language for me and it is a very good country to live in, you eat well and you live well. But there are other leagues like the Premier too. I still have a long time in Monaco to do good things and bring the team back to European positions, so it's too early to get back to it.

What is Monaco's real goal today? It is true that the coach has always said that the objective is not to fight for Ligue 1, but the 2021 of Monaco has been spectacular and you are close to the Champions League positions.

We have the mind match by match. If we can win the next games, when we have 5-6 games left and we look at the table, we will look at the Champions League. The ultimate goal is to return the team to European competition.

Would you like to play the Champions League with Monaco?

Man, of course (laughs)

Let's talk now about the Brazilian team. In August the Olympic Games will take place and, if everything goes its way, you will play them with Brazil. Do you dream of winning the Olympic event in Tokyo? There is a great team behind.

I think it is a dream to play with the Brazilian team and I believe that the Olympic Games is a unique thing. They are every four years and not all generations have the opportunity to play. If I do a good job at Monaco I think I can be on the list and maybe play the Olympics. Right now it is my goal and it is a dream for me and if it is with Brazil it is a dream.

Do you have a short-term goal to go with the absolute of Brazil? Marcelo is already 32 years old and the replacement can be done in a short time.

Yes, our Olympic coach always warns us that there are absolute people watching us. If I continue doing my job at Monaco, surely yes. I am very calm. If I continue like this, I know that I will have my chance and that it will come.

Finally, do you think Ligue 1 is underrated? There are very good young people and it tends to be belittled by calling it a “Farmers League”.

In recent years Ligue 1 has been improving. When we were in Brazil, we saw it with different eyes, we thought it was only a speed league. Before we saw Monaco winning easy games, now it is costing us more to win those games. Year after year the competition is improving, they are signing great players and many quality footballers and they are on the right track to improve.