There are goodbyes that don’t end with a simple “goodbye.” Because some teams become a part of your life, some people find a place in your heart, and certain memories stay with you, even when you return to your homeland. For Rodinei, Olympiacos is much more than just a stop along his soccer journey. It’s the years in Piraeus, the titles, the great moments, the friendships—but also a farewell that, as he reveals, was accompanied by tears.

In his interview with Elena Papadopoulou on the show “ALL IN,” the Brazilian moves beyond the standard answers and speaks emotionally about his experiences in Greece. He explains the lifelong bond he has developed with José Luis Medilibar, reveals what the Basque coach used to tell him when there were 35-36 players on the roster, and recalls the advice and pressure he put on his young teammates, seeing in them the future of Olympiacos.

Rodinei also talks about Vangelis Marinakis, Retsos, Kostoulas, Tzolakis, and Mouzakitis; recalls the Greek bouzouki music, and makes no secret of how much he misses Greece and Olympiacos. And if one thing stands out from his confession, it’s that distance doesn’t necessarily change one’s feelings. After all, he says it clearly himself: He’s 100% certain he’ll return to Greece!

Here’s Rodiney’s full interview on SKAI’s “ALL IN”

On Greece and what he misses about Olympiacos

– Where are you?

“I’m in Brazil. I’m in Brazil, my home country.”

– Do you know what “We miss you” means?

“‘We miss you’? No.”

– We miss you, we miss you, Rodi.

“Okay, I miss you too.”

– We miss you so much. Do you miss Greece?

“Yes, of course. It’s been about a month and ten days since the first day I left Greece. I miss Greece a lot. But I’m also happy to be back in my home country to play in Brazil. It’s really nice here, too.”

– What do you miss the most, Rodi?

“First of all, I miss playing for Olympiacos, because, you know, I’m ‘all about Olympiacos.’

But I also miss the local culture, my little crowd, seeing people say ‘Rody Kourasmeno.’ Of course I miss it a lot, but okay, we know that’s just how soccer is. Sometimes we have to move on, and now I’m here to play in Brazil.”

– Are you “tired”?

“No, no. In Brazil, Rodi isn’t an old man. ‘Tired’ sometimes.”

On Olympiacos’ matches and the derby against Panathinaikos

– Rodi, did you watch Olympiacos’ games—the one against Panathinaikos and the other against Marseille?

“Yes, I watch all of Olympiacos’s games. I also watched the one against Levadiakos.

Against Marseille, against Panathinaikos—the team is in good form right now; they’re in high spirits. I saw the goal and celebrated it a lot, because he’s a great guy—he’s my captain. Retsos is a real champ. I’m always telling him, ‘You’re a champ.’

I sent him a message to say “congratulations” on the goal. He scored an amazing goal with his feet. He usually scores more with his head, but it was an amazing goal. And, on top of that, it was a derby. I know that derbies in Greece are very important to us, and we want to win them.

Olympiacos beat Panathinaikos once again, and that makes me even happier. It made my day, and I came to practice in a good mood because we beat Panathinaikos.”

– Roddy, who’s your best friend?

“Tsikinio. I talk to Tsikinio every day. I’ve stayed in touch with Fortounis, who’s a friend of mine, ever since he went to Saudi Arabia. And with Retsos, too, but I also talk to a lot of other guys.”

On why he left Olympiacos

– I think—at least that’s how I felt—that it was somewhat unexpected when you left Olympiacos. What was the reason you left Greece?

“It’s hard for me to talk about this, because I love Greece, I love Olympiacos, I love the people in Greece and the country. I miss it a lot, and it’s hard for me to say anything. I don’t think I know exactly what happened, but it was right after we failed to qualify for the Champions League, and the club started considering some changes. That’s when I was given the opportunity to return to Brazil.

Santos is a very special and prestigious club in Brazil, so it was an opportunity. I spoke with the president, I spoke with the club officials, and in the end we came to the conclusion that perhaps it was the right time for me to embark on a new adventure in my life.

We spoke with great emotion. It was very difficult; we cried a lot. I spoke with the president, with Karapapa, with the club staff, and with the players.

I threw a party at my house before leaving Greece. It’s hard for me to describe how I left Greece, but, okay. No one can take this club out of my heart. I made history at Olympiacos. We won the Conference, I won the league title, the Greek Cup, and the Super Cup. I’ve won everything in Greece, and I think I’ll be back.

I’m leaving the club, but I’m leaving the door open. I have no disputes with the club; I have no disputes with the president. People love me in Greece, and I love the Olympiacos fans—and the people of Greece in general—because I believe they share the same energy as I do.

I’m very happy about all these years I’ve spent in Greece.”

About José Luis Medilibar

– Rodi, you wrote a very touching message to everyone when you left. I want to ask you about a few people. I’ll start with Mr. Medilibar.

“When you asked me why I left Greece, I told you a few things, and you asked me about a man who is the best coach I’ve ever had in my life. I’m talking about him as a person. He’s like a father to me.

And I’m not saying this because he always put me in the game, but because I know what kind of person he is. Sometimes the club had 35 or 36 players on the roster, and he’d say, “No, you’re not going to train with the reserve team. You’ll train with us—you’re important to us.”

That shows how he treats people. He does the same for me, even though I play, and for the players who don’t play. For me, that’s very important.

He’s an emotional person, just like me. This guy has been important in my career. It has nothing to do, as I told you, with tactics, but with the person. I’m still in touch with him.”

– Oh, so you stay in touch?

“Sometimes, yes. I call him, we text each other, because now we’re part of a shared history and a family. We’re not just friends.

I tell him, ‘You know, you’re like a father to me—you’re not just a friend.’ We’ve gone beyond that; it’s something more.

Of course, he and I argue a lot during games. He’d say to me, “Roddy, you need to push there,” and I’d reply, “Wait, you’re talking to me nonstop.”. But that’s good for the team; it’s a good relationship.

And in practice, my players would tell me, “Roddy, you need to have a go at Medilibar—he needs that.” He’s serious, but when he puts soccer aside, he’s an amazing person.”

On Vangelis Marinakis

– You also said a few words about the president, Vangelis Marinakis.

“I have the best relationship with the president. To me, this president is a legend in Greece. He has the respect of everyone in Europe. He’s a winner. He’s also ‘crazy,’ as we say.”

– You said it, not me.

“No, no! When I left the club, he said ‘thank you’ for all the work I did for Olympiacos. I told him, ‘All right, President, it’s time for me to go. I’m going back to my country, but I’m leaving the door open here. I don’t know what will happen after my soccer career. I don’t know if I’ll ever come back while I’m still playing soccer.”

He wants to win. That’s only natural. Some people at the club are afraid of Marinakis. I tell them: “Guys, the president is a very good man; he’s amazing.” Whenever I meet him, he treats me like a friend, like someone who’s helped the club. But he wants to win.

If we play poorly and make mistakes, he has to give us a serious talking-to, because they’re investing money—they’re putting money into the club. It’s serious, you understand? He trusted me.

I was 30 years old when I went to Greece. I didn’t go as a “kid.” I went as a 30-year-old, and it wasn’t easy. He told me, “Come help us out; we’re happy you’re here, in our family.”

I have nothing but good things to say about President Marinakis. That’s how soccer is. Sometimes things have to come to an end, but let’s see what happens in the future.”

On bouzouki clubs and returning to Greece

– You told me about the little party. What do you think about bouzouki clubs?

“Bouzouki clubs, bouzouki clubs! I only went with Vandi when we won the title.

I miss them a lot, because they’re completely different from the music in Brazil. In Brazil, it’s samba, funk. In Greece, it’s bouzouki clubs. But I always enjoyed everything I experienced there. Like I’m telling you, all those years I lived in Greece, I enjoyed them 100%, 200%.”

“I’m 100% certain I’ll return to Greece.”

On Santos, Neymar, and Coutinho

– I’m sure you’ll be back this summer. Let’s talk a little about Santos, Neymar, and Coutinho—but they also have Rodi-Lindo.

– Yeah, yeah. What’s going on there?

– They have… Rodi-the-Handsome.

“For me, it’s very special to play with these players, who have won everything in their lives. Neymar is a role model for us. Coutinho has made history at Liverpool and is a friend of mine. I’m happy here.”

On Kostoulas, Tzolakis, and Mouzakitis

– I’d like to say a few final words about Babis Kostoulas, Tzolakis, and Mouzakitis.

“When Kostoulas started training with us during preseason—I think it was three years ago—I’d tell him at every practice: ‘Kostoulas, let’s go!’ I’d shout at him: ‘Kostoulas, let’s go! Wake up, man, wake up! Let’s go, let’s go!’

I’d seen this player before Tzolakis and Mouzakitis. I’d say, “This player is at the top level; he can play in the Premier League. I can’t.” I’d tell him, “I’m a grandpa; I play here in Greece, I play in Europe.”

But it’s hard for me. Guys, focus, because you have the talent. That’s why I’m pushing you.

I remember Sotiris Sylaidopoulos, who would come up to me and say, “Rodi, take it easy on the kids, take it easy.” And I’d reply, “Sotiris, no! Because when I was a kid in Brazil, the other kids pushed me to understand the pressure and the tough moments in our lives. When we don’t play well, don’t score, don’t make assists, and the fans start criticizing us, we have to be strong in those moments. You understand.”

That’s how my life is. Nothing came easily to me. Everything in my life is difficult.

I saw those kids, and now I’m really happy. I spoke with Mouza the very same day I left Olympiacos. He was there, in Piraeus, and I told him, “Congratulations.”

In my heart, I say, “Rodi, you helped these kids a little by pushing them.” You pushed those players, and I wish every success to my kids, with whom I’ve stayed in touch.

That’s life. I’m sure that during the four years I lived in Greece, I helped a lot of players. Now all the players are leaving, but that’s just how soccer is.”

– Thank you very much. Bye!

“Thank you! Bye!”

*photo source: KYPE