“I REALLY WANTED TO GO TO THE DARTS IN FANCY DRESS – NOBODY WOULD HAVE RECOGNISED ME!”

How did your move to Tottenham happen?

There were lots of rumours, but the first team to make a proper offer was Spurs. There was a period of anguish, because Internacional’s president told me that they wouldn’t sell at a bargain price – the club were going through a very good moment and he said my value had changed. It took almost six months, because Inter didn’t want to let me go before the Copa Libertadores finished. But my last match was lifting the Libertadores trophy. It was amazing.

What was Harry Redknapp like at Spurs?

He’s a key person in my career. He signed me for Tottenham and then for QPR. He liked me. I wish I could talk to him again – that would make me really happy.

Any funny memories of him?

Obviously! [] I’ll never forget the day] He said, “What the f**k? He always replies, ‘Yes, yes, yes’ – I thought he was understanding me!”