After obtaining his first call-up with the Brazilian national team during the international break, the Roma central defender Roger Ibanez highly praised Mourinho ahead of the friendly fixture against Ghana tomorrow evening.
So far this season, the 23 year-old has featured in all seven fixtures within the Serie A, notching a total of 18 tackles and 20 successful interceptions within the back-line.
His impressive displays following a disappointing season last year has cemented him as a starter under Mourinho at the helm, assisting him in earning a call-up from the Brazilian national team gaffer Titio.
In an interview with GloboEsporte, the promising defensive stopper expressed an immense amount of gratitude towards Mourinho for having faith in him within the club, permitting Ibanez to progress as player:
I can only thank Mourinho. Since he arrived he has given me confidence, he has left me free to do what I wanted on the pitch, he has given me advice, he has told me what was right to do sometimes.
“He’s added so much to my career. And in that conversation he had with Tite, I just have to thank him for vouching for me. This may have influenced the manager’s choice.
“It was an unexpected moment. I was at home, sitting on the sofa with my family, watching a movie, and out of nowhere my brother-in-law tells me I’ve been called by Brazil. I did not believe it. Then I watched Tite’s presser they were broadcasting live, went back a little bit with the video, and when I heard my name, I knew I got in.
“It was very beautiful, very exciting, I was with my family and we could enjoy it together. It was a reaction of euphoria, the phone didn’t stop ringing.”
