“Cris Has a Double Personality”
By: Inara | May 12th, 2007
Or so says his wife, Tatiane.
This interview is from several months ago, but since the French press rarely publish information on the private lives of the players (and their families), some of you may find this interesting.
If you know French, you can find the original here, or if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, here’s the google translation.
Basically, she says how Cris is a completely different person on the field. At home, he’s sweet, romantic, a great husband, etc, but when he’s playing football, he completely justifies his nickname as The Policeman!
The interview also goes into her personal life, on how she and Cris met, whether she’s happy being married to a footballer (she used to be a television presenter in Brazil), if she likes Lyon, and how much interest she takes in Cris’s career.
We also learn that Tatiane and Cris have a two year old daughter named Raissa and that they want three more kids.
Some excerpts (loosely translated by yours truly):
He’s very attentive, calm, posed… In short, opposite of what he’s like when he plays football, where he seems rather aggressive, offensive… He really has a double personality! I don’t recognize him when he’s on the pitch!
Before an important match, he cuts himself off from the world and is quiet for several days. He doesn’t answer the telephone, doesn’t want to see anybody. I understand and respect that, because it’s his way of concentrating.
I hope Cris will continue to live out his passion [in football] for a long time. And I am ready to follow him to any country if he has to join another team.
It’s a nice peek into Lyon’s most formidable defender. Though I have to wonder if Tatiane saw this video before she met Cris!
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Heh, nice category!
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Here’s a translation, just because I got bored:
Married to Cris, the renowned defender of Olympique Lyon, Tatiane, his beautiful, 25 year-old wife, is mother of one, a daughter named Raissa.
LMG: How did you meet Cris?
Tatiane: Actually, a mutual friend gave him my number five years ago. At first, I didn’t even know he was a footballer! I even thought he was black, like most Brazilian footballers. In truth, I didn’t really want to meet him because in Brazil, footballers are largely reputed to be drug addicts and party boys… So I decided I was going to make him wait, but I gave in after three months because he was calling me every night to see how I was doing. I found it romantic.
LMG: What struck you about him?
Tatiane: His kindness. Cris is very attentive, calm, composed… In short, everything the opposite of who he is when he plays football, where he seems rather aggressive and offensive… He really has a split personality! I don’t even recognize him on the pitch!
LMG: So did you move in with him right away?
Tatiane: No. When we met, I was living in Sao Paulo where I was studying to be an interior designer and also pursuing my career as the hostess of a number of television programs. But Cris, he was playing at Cruzeiro in Bel Horizante, 600 kilometers from Sao Paulo. We didn’t travel very often but we were very much in love. In fact, I went with him to Germany when he was recruited by Bayer Leverkusen in 2002. We were married a year later, in December 2003 back in Brazil.
LMG: How did you feel about coming to Lyon in 2004?
Tatiane: I was very excited because in Brazil, France represents luxury, the good life, good food, art… It was truly a dream for me to come live here. I should also mention that we had a really bad year in Germany. Cris didn’t feel well about the club and I didn’t like the climate, especially the wintertime when it was really cold. In short, I was happy to come to France.
LMG: How do you like Lyon?
Tatiane: I think it’s a wonderful city! I like to walk by the shores of the Saône, by Saint-Jean, in the town center, or by the amphitheater… I love the architecture of Lyon, it’s history, it’s different districts… And in Lyon I feel safe. This isn’t always the case in Brasil where the big cities are dangerous. Especially when you’re famous, you become a target for the kidnappers. Kidnappings are frequent over there! But in Lyon I can walk by myself all alone without problem.
LMG: What kind of life do you live in Lyon?
Tatiane: I spend the most of my time with my daughter, Raissa, who was born in August of 2005. This is Cris’ third child. He has two sons from his first marriage. They live in Brazil with their mother, but they come here to Lyon from time to time. Cris loves children. In fact… I dream of having as many as four with him!
LMG: What’s his typical day like?
Tatiane: In the morning he leaves for training at the Gerland for about 10 hours. At the same time I leave for the gym in Ecully. We meet up around noon for lunch. I often make him his favorite meal: rice, kidney beans, and fried eggs with some carrot cake for dessert. In the afternoon he watches DVD’s or plays with Raissa. Sometimes we go biking by the Saône or by the parc de la Tête d’Or. In the evening we might go to a restaurant. We love the food in Lyon. Recently we went to the Bocuse. It was outstanding.
LMG: Do you counsel him about his career?
Tatiane: No, I let him make his decisions alone. It’s such that I really live by his choices because what really matters these days is his career. I’ve put my career aside, but I don’t mind.
LMG: You don’t have the impression that you’re being sacrificed?
Tatiane: Not at all. I don’t miss being being a TV hostess in Brazil. It was a rather unhealthy way to earn money. Today I am busy with my daughter, my husband, my aparment… My life is much healthier.
LMG: Do you talk about football with Cris a lot?
Tatiane: Of course. What’s more, I go see him every time he plays at the Gerland. Afterwards he asks about the match. I don’t give him tips about technique, but all the same I give him my opinion about his game. It’s very important to him to see that I’m interested in what he does and that I support him.
LMG: What is his most memorable match?
Tatiane: The match against Milan last March, the return leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions’ League. It was the most important match of the year. And he was fantastic. Every time I see him play, I’m always emotional.
LMG: What do you see in the future for Cris?
Tatiane: I hope he’ll continue to live his passion for a long time. I’m ready to follow him no matter which country he plays in.
LMG: Do you ever want to return to Brazil?
Tatiane: Yes, of course. Maybe in ten years, when Cris’ career will be finished. Right now, I would like to go back to Brazil because I miss my family enormously. And why not resume my studies to become an interior designer?… But for right now, I live for the moment. What’s more, I’m very grateful and I thank God every morning for the life I lead today.
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[...] Fun fact: His wife Tatiane actually likes living in Lyon and is a big part of the reason that Cris isn’t wanting a move to a bigger club. QJA thoughtfully translated an interview by her, which you can read in the comments section of this post. [...]
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JOKER
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