The Säbener Strasse, usually a hive of bustle and activity, is quiet during the summer break, but that is no reason for boredom: there is the EURO 2016 and a quartet of legends at fcbayern.de. Four Bayern legends answer four questions each. We conclude the series with Giovane Elber, who is 43 years old now.
fcbayern.de: Giovane, where and how do you live today?
Elber: “I live with my family in Brazil. I have a cattle ranch there. But being a Bavarian at heart I return to Munich once or twice a month. It's a nice distraction. Cattle breeding is demanding, much more demanding than playing football. It's like coaching: you give orders and all you can do then is hope that your lads obeserve them. But it's fun. I couldn't imagine a better life.”
fcbayern.de: Do you still have Lederhosen at home?
Elber: “Of course. I have Lederhosen and thousands of shirts I've swapped with opponents. My son sometimes asks me to which match this or that shirt belongs. Then I remember.”
fcbayern.de: Is there some part of your active career you're missing?
Elber: “Fortunately there's nothing. I enjoyed my time as a footballer, but it's over. I think it's very beautiful to watch today's Bayern team play football and breeze past their opponents. I like to watch Bundesliga matches and other European leagues. The best players in the world are actually in Europe. If you ask a Brazilian kid today, where would you like to play?, nobody wants to play in Brazil. It was different when I was young.”
fcbayern.de: You scored 139 goals wearing the Bayern shirt. Which was the most beautiful one?
Elber: “Clearly the goal against Hansa Rostock, scored from the corner flag, which was named Goal of the Year. And the match-winner in the 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg in 2001. These are two goals I still like to watch.”
Giovane Elber profiled:
- At FC Bayern: 1997 - 2003
- Position: forward
- Competitive fixtures/goals: 266 / 139
- Career record: Club World Cup (2001), Champions League (2001), four German championship titles (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003), four DFB Cup titles (1997, 1998, 2000, 2003), four League Cup titles (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), Bundesliga top scorer (2003), two Goal of the Month awards (February 1999, January 2003), Goal of the Year award (1999)
