Seedorf says Brazil can attract other European stars

 RIO DE JANEIRO, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Former Dutch international midfielder Clarence Seedorf says his signing with Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo could pave the way for other established European stars to play in Brazil.

The 36-year-old gave his first press conference on Monday since arriving in Rio and surprised journalists with his near flawless command of the Portuguese¹ language.

"I might have opened the door for European players to consider coming to Brazil to play," said Seedorf, whose wife Luviana is Brazilian and a lifelong Botafogo fan.

"The level of Brazilian football is excellent which is proven by the fact Brazilian players who go to Europe adapt very quickly. They obviously have a different mentality², a different game style, a different rhythm."Seedorf's two-year deal with Botafogo comes after a celebrated³ career in Europe in which he won four Champions League titles at three clubs, namely Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan where he lifted the trophy⁴ twice.

Days after Botafogo confirmed the playmaker's signing, fellow Brazilian club Internacional announced it had struck a three-year deal with Uruguay international striker Diego Forlan.

Last week former Portugal midfielder Deco, who plays with Botafogo's cross-city rival Fluminense, praised Seedorf for his move and said it reflected Brazilian football's growing profile.

1 Portuguese   

n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语

参考例句：

• They styled their house in the Portuguese manner.他们仿照葡萄牙的风格设计自己的房子。
• Her family is Portuguese in origin.她的家族是葡萄牙血统。

2 mentality   

n.心理，思想，脑力

参考例句：

• He has many years'experience of the criminal mentality.他研究犯罪心理有多年经验。
• Running a business requires a very different mentality from being a salaried employee.经营企业所要求具备的心态和上班族的心态截然不同。

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

4 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。