Brazilian striker Bobo is the most prolific goal scorer the A-League has ever seen.
His return to Sydney FC after more than two years away comes at the perfect time for the reigning champions, who are far from their peak and sit fifth on the ladder.
“The target for this year is to win consecutive trophies, it will be amazing not just for me, but for the team,” Deyvison Rogério da Silva “Bobo” said.
The 36-year-old will make his much-anticipated return this Saturday when the Sky Blues take on the Brisbane Roar.
It will be the club’s first home game at Kogarah after several disruptions to the season because of COVID.
“We believe we can win, we need to believe it because we have the opportunity, the team, we have the quality players, we have everything to do that,” he said.
Bobo has been in contact with his old teammates and coach Steve Corica since he left the club in 2018 and didn’t think twice when he was invited to return.
But it hasn’t been an easy re-entry for the international.
When he arrived from Brazil to Australia, he spent two weeks in an Adelaide hotel in quarantine.
“It’s not easy, I did [it] with my family there, with the kids, we had a family room and in the beginning it’s OK,” he said.
A task that was worth the price.
“The first three, four days easy then, after five to six days, it gets harder but it’s what we have to do.
“But now I’m feeling very good to join the boys again, so it’s like coming back home.”
Bobo boasts the record for the most goals scored in a season — 27 in 27 games in 2017/18.
All up he scored 51 goals in his 71 appearances in Australia’s domestic competition.
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But will the marquee import still be at his best?
He’s been out of the A-League for three years and after self-isolation, he’s only had two weeks to train with the squad.
“It’s not easy to score 27 but I think we have a good team and good players so I can try again but I know it’s not easy,” he said.
His teammates are certainly impressed.
“The first time he came in he wasn’t as sharp but now he’s looking really good, when we signed him we knew what he brings and that’s goals, so to have him back this weekend is great,” said Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant.
Midfielder Luke Brattan agreed.
They’re confident Bobo will deliver the firepower the Sky Blues need to go all the way.
“Whether he’s in good shape or not, he always knows how to find the back of the net, that’s his biggest asset and that will be huge for us,” Grant said.
Fans only have to wait until this weekend to see his current form — their support was one of the biggest drawcards to entice Bobo back.
“When you put on the Sky Blues jersey it’s always an amazing feeling when you go to the pitch and hear the roar of the crowd — I have a lot of good memories — so I just want to score the goals to make them happy,” Bobo said.
Bobo played in Brazil and Turkey before coming to the A-League from 2016-2018.
Since then he’s played again in Turkey and Brazil as well as India.
