MILAN - "To me being a footballer means being a vagabond. It's them or me on the boat." That was the response that Brazilian foreign affairs minister Lauro Muller was given by Ruy Barbosa ahead of the 1916 Cameponato Sudamericano de Selecciones, the forerunner to the Copa America. Brazil, in the midst of the First World War, were short on boats and the Selecao needed "a lift" to travel to Argentina and take on the cream of the continent. That request was denied and there followed a lengthy train trip, with Isabelino Gradin's Uruguay eventually lifting the Copa Murature.
Besides that curious anecdote, it's interesting to learn that, a few years later, other globetrotters - the majority of whom where Italians - landed in the south of the country and laid the foundations for a city which would take its name from a German diplomat and, in 1986, become the birthplace of Eder Citadin Martins. He was a descendent of a family of immigrants from Vicenza who moved to South America to earn a living in the coal mines. Travelling and battling are in the Nerazzurri centre forward's blood. He honed his game on the futsal courts and from there began playing 11-a-side.
Moleque Bom de Bola was where he first showcased his talent. The student tournament devised by the local government in Santa Catarina to discourage violence and promote healthy living among the young saw Eder join up with Criciuma, the same side that a young Maicon Douglas Sisenando played for. Eder struck a brace and that was the start of a short, happy stint with the club. He played for the Tigers for three years, instantly winning over coach Luiz Carlos Barbieri who liked his pace and power, two traits he shared with Eder Aleixo, the left winger from the 1982 Brazil side that he was named after. Under Barbieri, despite a serious injury (fractured collar bone), he won the state league in 2005 but the team were relegated to the third tier domestically.
His disappointment was short-lived after Empoli moved quickest to beat off the competition from Lecce and their renowned sporting director Corvino. The Tuscan side brought him into their Primavera team and sent him on loan to gain some experience at Frosinone before bringing him back in 2009/10, the season they were promoted into Serie A. Eder experienced that level elsewhere, first with Brescia and then Cesena. He was very open with the fans of the former, having celebrated at the Olympic stadiums in Turin and Rome, telling them: "I dream of scoring at San Siro."
That wish would only come true a few years later, as he found the net against both Inter and AC Milan while playing for Sampdoria. Those strikes proved in vain, however, as the Blucerchiati went home empty-handed on both occasions. The feeling was altogether sweeter last April meantime, as he celebrated with the large majority of those who had come to cheer on Inter. That was only natural for someone who had earned their place at La Scala del Calcio with tireless, rugged displays, with Eder always putting the team's best interests before his own. An example was his incredible (albeit ultimately disappointing) 2015/16 Coppa Italia semi-final performance against Juventus, as the Brazil-born Italy international frightened the life out of the Bianconeri with his constant movement having being restored to his original position of centre forward.
Unlike the early immigrants who sought fortune in South America, Eder has taken the opposite route. Italy has been synonymous with goals and success and Inter can now pave the way for his journey towards Europe's top table.
Aniello Luciano
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