Among the ranks of Moyashi Garlasco in the 2023-24 season the name of Gustavo Cavalcanti Almeida appears, a young Portuguese spiker born in 2001, at the end of last season playing for WithU Verona and previously protagonist of two seasons in the US university championship.
Gustavo you are the first Portuguese to arrive at Moyashi Garlasco: can you tell us a little about your childhood?
I was born in Almada – Portuguese city in the Setúbal district, belonging to the Greater Lisbon subregion. I have lived there since I was born together with my parents and brothers, I am the youngest.
When did you start playing volleyball?
I started when I was 10-11 years old: my brothers were already playing and my father had been a professional player.
Did you also play other sports?
Yes, I have always played sports also because my parents have a gym in Portugal. I practiced football, handball, swimming and a bit of athletics.
You arrived here in Italy last year and played in the Super League in Verona: what was that experience?
Oh, it was truly incredible. Arriving here in Italy to play in Serie A: so far it has been the best professional experience that has happened to me!
What did you learn in particular?
Definitely to work in a more professional way: to take care of nutrition, of the body, of every single aspect of the performance. And then on a technical level many details that have certainly improved me.
Is there anything in particular that you miss about Portugal?
So, definitely not food because you eat very well here! Maybe a little about the music: I like your music too, but I still can’t understand the lyrics 100%…
And how do you find yourself in Garlasco?
I ‘m very good! I’m here with my partner Clarisse and my son Francisco. It’s a small town, but where we have everything we need: I really like the landscape here.
What kind of dad are you?
I really like to play and have fun and like most parents I try to make my child happy. For the moment the things I’m teaching him are to grab objects and soon he’ll start crawling, so we’re just at the beginning.
