As VfL Wolfsburg’s 2022/23 season drew to a close against Hertha BSC, Grafite – who won the Bundesliga title with the Wolves in 2009 – returned to the city for the first time since 2019. Prior to flying back to his native Brazil, the 44-year-old, now a television pundit in his homeland, spoke about his visit to Wolfsburg, VfL’s last game of the season and his fight against racism.
Grafite, you’re back in Germany for the first time since 2019. How do you like being in Wolfsburg again?
Grafite: “I really like it. It’s fantastic to be back here. I had a couple of days to walk around the city, see the club offices and the stadium. Yesterday I went back to my old house and the person living there now is a really nice guy. He knew who I was and also my former neighbour recognised me straight away and shouted ‘Grafite, Grafite!’ Being back in Wolfsburg is always a pleasure and I’m proud because I had a wonderful time here and I associate it with positive feelings as I know so many people. It’s a bit like coming home. I often talk to my wife about having had such a fantastic time in Wolfsburg back then. I have so many good memories and good friends from that time.”
You also witnessed first-hand how VfL missed out on European qualification in their final game of the season against Hertha. What was your assessment of the match?
Grafite: “I was obviously a bit disappointed about the game and the result. But it was a really great feeling to be back in the stadium. I had a lot to do, but when I was standing there and the fans were singing my name… wow, that was really incredible. Even though the result wasn’t good for the Wolves, the atmosphere reminded me of 2009 a bit. It was a great moment.”