Music keeps the Brazilian stars rocking

Ronaldinho has his own band, Gilberto Silva plays the guitar in his spare time and Robinho likes to compose and sing his own sambas.

And that's just for starters.

"Soccer and music go well together," said Brazil defender Roberto Carlos, whose favourite bands are from his home country. "I brought a lot of Brazilian music with me. "It's good. It helps me relax."

Brazil's 23 players at this year's World Cup have had a busy schedule with training and playing. And that doesn't leave much time for fun off the field.

But with the little free time they do have, they usually play table tennis or organise soccer video game tournaments on the secluded grounds of their luxury hilltop castle.

Others play golf, enjoy a walk around the tranquil gardens or visit with family and friends.

But playing and listening to music is a pastime they all share and one which accompanies most of their off-the-field activities.

"I can't say that if we sing, we are going to play better or it will inspire us to play better," said Gilberto Silva, who used to play the mandolin and now plays the guitar. "We sing and play instruments because we like it.

"It's part of us Brazilian people. When the players board their green-and-yellow bus, they always bring music with them, either in the form of iPods or portable CD players.

But they are usually put away in favour of the percussion instruments brought on board by Ronaldinho. Or because Robinho starts up a pagode - a type of Brazilian samba.

"When we go onto the bus and have to sing something, Ronaldinho starts most of the songs," Gilberto Silva said.

Training sessions at the Brazil camp are usually filled with laughter in a relaxed atmosphere. But the players say that representing the team favoured to win the World Cup comes with its pressures.

According to Ronaldinho, there's nothing like a few tunes to help the team unwind, especially before a big game.

"All the Sambas are nice," the bongo-playing Ronaldinho said. "We have a lot of fun and enjoy each other's company. Everybody goes in (to a match) feeling relaxed."

Robinho, who plays the 'cavaquinho' - a traditional Brazilian four-stringed instrument - is also a samba singer. "We always sing samba, before a game and on our way to train. Music is always with Brazil," Robinho said.

posted by nscafuro @ 6:15 AM