“The Premier League was always my priority,” says Forest’s Murillo

A return to European glory beckons. Nottingham Forest’s stunning ascent to third place in the Premier League has fans dreaming of Champions League nights, a feat not seen since 1980.
At the heart of this resurgence lies Brazilian defender Murillo. With a pivotal league match against Manchester United looming, Showmax sat down with Murillo to discuss his career and about life at Nottingham Forest.

Catch Nottingham Forest v Manchester United live on Showmax Premier League, on Tuesday 1 April at 21:00

You finished 17th last season. Now you’re up there with Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal. Did you expect that evolution?

We knew how good we already were, and how good the newcomers were. The players from last season really gelled with the newcomers, and we were hoping to have a great season. It’s good to see that everything is working out, we’re happy with that. Now with this surprise, we need to keep it up so that better things come.

It looks like you’re having fun this season. It must feel great going toe to toe with such strong teams, right?

It feels great. When we’re on the pitch, we can see they respect us more. Now we know we’ve reached the point we’ve been looking for. That feels really great for us. Even more so because of the union we feel in the club, among all the players. I mean, all the players feel settled at the club, everybody jokes with one another, everybody talks to one another, and I think that’s paramount off the pitch, and we’re managing to bring that feeling to the pitch, and it’s working just right.

Apart from that important feeling, what do you think makes it work so well?

I think we’ve got Nuno’s [Espírito Santo] idea, which is the main thing. That relationship between players and manager is crucial to make things work. I think we’ve managed to understand what he’s passed on to us. Of course, with his intelligence and his staff who help out each of the players, no one is left behind, he’s with all of us. If he sees you fall, he runs to help you out. That connection is really solid, and that was crucial for us to reach this point.

When you say he’s with everyone, what do you mean?

I mean he cares for all of us, he wants everybody on the same wavelength. He looks like a tough man, one that really gives you the “hair dryer”. I’d say it’s just the appearance. He is one of the funniest managers I’ve ever had, he jokes with everyone, loves a laugh. It’s always fun being with him and to listen to his stories. He’s a very cool, funny guy.

How did you decide to join Forest when many other clubs were after you?

Yes, I knew about the clubs interested in me, but I always made it clear: “It’s great, I’m happy with the interest, but the Premier League is my priority.” There was Napoli, I think Fiorentina, something from Torino as well, then Nottingham’s interest and offer, also Crystal Palace, and two more clubs I don’t remember.

And you wanted the Premier League?

I wanted the Premier League. I said: “If a Premier League offer comes, it’s my dream, the best league in the world.” Then Nottingham came in. So I went to Duílio, man to man, and said: “I want to go, mate. it’s my dream. I want to play.” Then we talked, and he said, “mate, you’ve been honest with me. We’ll see. If the offer’s good for both of us, perfect,” and it all worked out.

When you arrived, did you expect to be a starter in your first season, or have to battle for your spot?

I remember when I arrived, it was really tough, a very physical game, the players were strong, and I thought, “I’m going to struggle here.” Then we had a match against City, and I got dropped at the hotel. The coach told me, “you’ve been training and performing well, but to get up to speed, adapt, and gain the strength you need, it’ll take you two or three months to play.” I listened, nodded, and left, but in my head, I was like, “what? Two or three months? No way I’m waiting that long, no chance.”

I remember deciding to speed up the process, training at the club and outside. I hired a personal trainer, which I think is essential for any athlete, training at the club and having a personal one to complement it. It’s essential for a top-level athlete, so I started training at the club. I’d arrive, then train with the personal one. I thought, “I need to improve. Improve outside, get stronger, more prepared, because on the pitch, quality is my thing. No one can take it from me,” And I did it. I think that was around October or September, I don’t remember. On the 1st of October, we were going to play against Brentford, and on the day of the game, the coach came and said I was going to play. I said, “I’m playing?”; he said, “Yes. Brentford is a team like this and that, and I need your quality, your long balls.” I said, “I’m ready for the game.”

It was the same thing that happened at Corinthians: After I played, I never stopped. I used to say, “if the opportunity comes, I’ll play and I won’t stop.” That’s what I told my agents, “I’ll play and I won’t stop.” I’ve always thought that way, and thank God, for both clubs I played for, at the professional level, that’s happened.

What did it feel like scoring your first goal against Newcastle, your first as a pro?

It was madness. It was the last game before I joined the national team, and my agent said, “you have to score, to arrive in good form, feeling confident.” I said, “leave it with me. I’ll do it.” So I got on the pitch against Newcastle, and I started off the game feeling different, feeling very confident. I thought: “it’ll happen. I don’t know, I might get an assist and score.” That was that. Then, there was a foul, and, during the throw-in I remember they were all lined up like this, and, I was in the middle of the box, heading towards the far post. It was as if someone had pulled me and said, “no, head it toward the near post.” Then I said, “okay, I’ll go to the near post.”

When I was about to hit the ball, I looked at Anthony [Elanga], and I thought: “he’s going to kick the ball towards the near post. I’ll go there. What if this works?” And that’s what happened. He delivered the perfect cross at the right angle and I just guided it into the net. I celebrated it as much as I could. I paid tribute to Dani [Danilo] with a little dance he wanted me to do, and, after that, I did my own celebration. I forgot to do the baby bump celebration for my daughter. My wife got furious with me. She said, “you did all the celebrations, but forgot the one that mattered the most!” So I told her, “there will be more goals. “I might not score them now, but I promise I’ll score them soon.” It was a memorable day for me.

You were then invited to play for the national team, after playing only 74 professional matches. What was it like joining the national team?

I think everyone dreams about it. Every Brazilian player at elite level dreams about playing for the national team, and, for me, it was no different. I’ve always been asked in interviews, “do you think you don’t have a chance?”. “Do you think you shouldn’t be in the team?” To which I’ve always said, “I’m calm, I’m at peace.” It’ll happen when it’s time. I’m ready, though I haven’t had the chance to play yet, but just being there is a huge step. It’s an incredible experience, playing with players I used to see only on TV or play with in the FIFA video game. The day-to-day is very rewarding, sharing the pitch with these players, and learning a lot from them.

You renewed your contract with the club until 2029. What are your goals now?

My goal is to achieve something nobody has ever done. I think there’s a quote that says: “If someone does something, I’ll do it too. And if nobody has, I’ll be the first one to do it.” I try to leave my mark wherever I go, so people can say: “Murillo was a great player. He’s played here.” I try to leave this legacy. I’m trying my best to get the team into the Champions League, to perform well in the Premier League, and to reach the level I know I’m capable of. It’s about playing my best for the fans who are always there showing their support, and, above all earning the respect of all the players and the club staff. That’s the main thing, when people see you and say, “not only was he a good player, but a great human being, a great man.” I think that’s the main thing.

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