“The Beast” confesses: “At Roma, they remember the mistakes and not the bicycle kicks; people talk without knowing. At one point, I was a starter for Brazil but not for Roma. I saw Totti cry for Franco Sensi. I could have gone to Milan and then Inter, but I cost too much and they took Sneijder…“

Say Julio Baptista and you think of bicycle kicks, masterful plays, and the Rome derby decided with a header into the top corner. ”The one I scored against Lazio is worth the goal at Camp Nou that knocked out Barca.” But then there’s the other side of the coin: the difficulties in recent years in Rome, the insults that became memes, the cult commentary. “I’ve read and heard a lot of bullshit about myself. Many people, especially in Italy, allow themselves to speak without knowing.” “The Beast” responds from Madrid, where he is studying to become a coach. He opens the treasure chest of memories and lets himself go. One Polaroid after another, in sequence. Mourinho’s interest, Galliani’s advances, the four goals scored against Liverpool, complete with a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd.
Julio, let’s start with your Italian adventure. A few days after your arrival, Roma president Franco Sensi died. What memories do you have?

“I found myself carrying his coffin on my shoulders. Totti explained to me that Sensi was Roma. And he was crying. He, like so many others. It was a form of love that I had rarely seen in a fan base, it impressed me.”

Things went well in the first year. You had a good rapport with Spalletti, you scored in the derby, you did that overhead kick against Torino.

“I made a lot of great plays, eh! Joking aside, yes, it was a good season. I would have gone to war for Spalletti; he put me at the center of his game. I owe him a lot.”

A flashback to the derby? It was your first, and you immediately scored in front of the South Stand.

“It was crazy. Totti crossed, I headed it in, and we won. I remember the crowd going wild. In Rome, they’re crazy… in a good way. But that goal in the derby is as important to me as the one I scored at Camp Nou against Barcelona. There, too, I was decisive.”

Your experience in Rome, however, ended amid difficulties and criticism. How did it go?

“To be honest, I felt a bit betrayed. I was doing well, playing for the national team and I was the best on the field. In Rome, however, I wasn’t playing. Ranieri didn’t see me much. And he never took me aside to give me an explanation, never any clarification. It’s a shame. I left because I needed new challenges.”

If you search for his name on YouTube, you’ll see how it’s associated with cult commentary on his mistakes in the Giallorossi jersey. That “Julio vattene via” (“Julio, go away”) became famous among fans. Have you ever seen it?

“No, and I don’t give a damn. I’ve read and heard a lot of crap about myself. I was going through a difficult period, where I lacked confidence and couldn’t be the player I always was. I understand wanting to become ‘famous’, but you need a little respect. Many people, especially in Italy, allow themselves to speak without knowing.“ Overall, how would you rate your experience with Roma? ”Looking at it from all angles, I’d say they were important years. Of course, I’m sorry I didn’t win the Scudetto and that it ended that way. It seems that some people remember the mistakes more than the overhead kicks. Do you think that’s fair? Maybe someone should be told to do their job better and convey information more effectively…“

Now let’s rewind the tape. Sevilla took you to Europe. Did we see the best of Julio there?

”Yes, I’m attached to all the teams I’ve played for, but Sevilla will always be special. I scored 47 goals in two years, I was a powerhouse. That’s when they started calling me ‘The Beast’. Half of Europe was after me.”

Among the competitors, Real Madrid’s Galacticos came out on top.

“It was a crazy team, it was difficult to find space. Capello was on the bench, Ronaldo and Raul were up front with Zidane, Beckham, and Figo behind them.“

Then he chose Arsenal, on loan, to find continuity. He is one of the few in history to have scored four goals at Anfield, did you know that?

”I didn’t know that, but I know it was an incredible night. I scored four times and we won 6-3. When I was substituted, the whole stadium stood up to applaud me. I looked up and saw a red wall. A stand like the Kop paying tribute to you, especially as an opponent, gives you goosebumps.”

Let’s talk about sliding doors. There are at least a couple to mention, both involving Milan. The first was due to a desire on Galliani’s part…

“It was 2007, I had had two so-so years between Madrid and London. I knew Milan wanted me. In the end, however, they signed Pato and I went to Roma. And to think that in May of that year they won the Champions League…”

The Champions League victory that goes where it was meant to go seems to be a constant in your transfer dealings. In fact, something similar happened even before Mourinho’s Inter treble. In that case, was it just a matter of signing on the dotted line?

“We were really very close, yes. There was even a call with Moratti, Mou liked me. Then nothing came of it: Roma wanted more money. Inter then went for Sneijder, my former teammate at Real. It’s a shame, because maybe between the two of us I could have won a Champions League…“

Finally, your future as a coach. You have said in the past that there are fewer opportunities for black coaches. Do you think this is because of racism?

”I don’t know. But it’s a fact. How many black coaches do you see in the top five leagues? I see very few. I want to think it’s just a coincidence, but unfortunately I don’t believe that. There are fewer opportunities. Then I hope to be the one to reverse the trend, never say never…”.