Danilo aiming for massive Porto send-off

Brazil right-back Danilo will move to Real Madrid CF this summer, but before that there is the not-insignificant matter of an unfinished UEFA Champions League campaign with FC Porto. The 23-year-old spoke to UEFA.com about his footballing education, his ambitions and how the Dragons have been at their fiery best in the UEFA Champions League.

UEFA.com: Which players inspired you when you were young and why?

Danilo: From my generation and in my position, the player I watched a lot was Cafu, because he's a player who won a lot with Brazil. He was the captain of the national team for a long time, and he also made history outside Brazil. 

UEFA.com: Did you always want to be a footballer?

Danilo: I've never thought about doing anything else. Football was the first thing that really taught me about responsibility, because I've been playing since I was very young. So football was my first teacher.

UEFA.com: Have you always wanted to succeed in the UEFA Champions League in particular?

Danilo: Yes. It's definitely a competition I often watched on TV when I was a boy, with big Brazilian players making history, winning finals. I certainly always had the ambition to not only play in this competition but to make the later stages.

I remember watching great matches. Liverpool and Milan [the 2005 UEFA Champions League final] was a turnaround you don't often see in football – I remember watching that while still in the youth teams at América Mineiro. I also remember seeing Ronaldinho destroying defences for Barcelona.

UEFA.com: How does it feel when you come onto the pitch and hear the UEFA Champions League anthem?

Danilo: It's emotional, because it's a very wonderful competition and a competition where you have a great responsibility too – to represent your club and Portugal. So every time I hear the UEFA Champions League anthem I feel a great responsibility, but also a great pride at being able to participate.

Neymar and Danilo with Brazil©Getty Images

UEFA.com: Which players have you been happiest playing alongside in your career?

Danilo: I have had some good partnerships. This year I've worked very well with Cristian Tello and Ricardo Quaresma. And it was the same story with Silvestre Varela, we also played some good matches together. Going back a while at Santos, with Neymar, we also had a good history.

UEFA.com: How do you rate Porto's UEFA Champions League campaign so far?

Danilo: Very good. We're very ambitious. It's the first time I've reached this stage of the competition and it's very exciting. From here on, there are only big teams left, only big matches, and every player and every club wants to be here. Having achieved this, it definitely gives us more confidence. The group knows what it can do – we know we have great potential.

UEFA.com: How does Julen Lopetegui get the best out the squad?

Danilo: He's a coach who is very demanding but at the same time a partner to the players – that's important. The group has a lot of faith in him, and we always look to do what he asks of us in matches and in training. He's a very honest coach, who demands maximum concentration all the time. He's helped us to always be at our best.

UEFA.com: You are in your fourth season at Porto. How has the team developed since you arrived?

Danilo: This group is a different one, because many of the players are quite young – the majority of them. We get along well and everyone understands each other a bit better – we speak the same footballing language and that's made a difference in the matches. After three full seasons at the club I know my way around a bit better. I know the competition better as well, so that makes some difference.

UEFA.com: Does the squad think Porto can be European champions this year?

Danilo: We think big. We are focused on reaching the final, but we're taking it match by match. It has always been our aim during the season: one step at a time, with humility. But I definitely think we have a chance to make the final.