José Roberto Gama de Oliveira, also known as Beto (born in Salvador, Bahia in 1964), is one of the iconic figures of Deportivo La Coruña. He made 154 appearances for the team between 1992 and 1996, scoring 102 goals, and helped the team win the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España in 1995. He also formed a dream partnership with Romário in 1994, winning the World Cup with Brazil. Beto was interviewed at the Pachuca Hall of Fame in Mexico.
Q: What do you think of "your" Deportivo La Coruña?
A: I am very happy that they are back in LaLiga, because they should never have left. In previous years, when I saw Deportivo La Coruña fall to Segunda División B and even Segunda División, I felt very conflicted. I couldn't believe I was seeing them in those divisions. I was always used to seeing my team in the top league, and the team should never have left there.
Q: Do you watch all their matches?
A: Whenever possible, I schedule Deportivo La Coruña's matches into my weekend. I have always supported this team that I deeply love. For me, LaLiga is the strongest league in the world. It will always be the best because it brings back so many memories.
Q: How do you feel when Deportivo La Coruña scores and you are watching in Brazil?
A: Oh my God! That team is part of my football career, and Deportivo La Coruña is also my home. I have deep feelings for the entire city, the club, and all the people of Galicia. Deportivo La Coruña will always be in my heart.
Q: Your time there was perfect: a championship, the Pichichi Trophy in 1993, and finishing as runner-up after Djukic missed a penalty... But some fans criticized you for later going to Sevilla [where you only played six games].
A: At that time, I needed to stay in Brazil, so I had to leave Deportivo La Coruña. My grandmother passed away, and I had to go back to Rio. Later, I wanted to return to Deportivo La Coruña and had even discussed it with President Lendoiro, but in the end, I couldn't sign, even though everything was ready and I was eager to go back. Unfortunately, it didn't happen, and I ended up going to Sevilla.
Q: How was it there?
A: My time at Sevilla was very chaotic. The coach, José Antonio Camacho, talked to me and was very kind. He told me that the situation was not good, and he took great care of me.
Q: Back to Deportivo La Coruña, do you like Yeremay?
A: He is very talented, and I really like his style of play. I hope he can help the team for many years, but Deportivo La Coruña must be careful because he will receive many offers.
Q: Do you think the "Super Depor" that you experienced can return?
A: Everyone hopes so, and that the club can go further, like before.
Q: But LaLiga is now basically dominated by four or five teams, and there's also the fight for European spots, making it even harder to reach the top.
A: LaLiga has always been very strong. Barcelona and Real Madrid have always dominated, but right now the most important thing for Deportivo La Coruña is to stabilize and not drop to Segunda División. That's the first thing to consider, to first stabilize in LaLiga and then never leave the top tier again. My concern is that they don't get relegated again, so they can gain more confidence year after year.
Q: How do you recall those matches against Real Madrid and Barcelona?
A: I loved playing against strong teams. In those matches, I felt my teammates were very nervous facing these giants, but after I arrived, I convinced them that we could win. And it was true, for example, that classic 3-2 comeback against Real Madrid, where we were once down 0-2. Not long after, Barcelona came, and we won 1-0, and I scored that goal too. From then on, I felt the team's mentality changed, and when we were together with my teammates, we all felt we could beat anyone.
Q: After you scored five goals against Albacete in 1995, Marca made a classic cover of you with your hand outstretched. Do you remember that?
A: That match set a LaLiga record at the time. In the last few minutes [from the 83rd to the 89th minute], I scored four goals, almost one per minute. I will never forget that day. It was a particularly important moment in my career, and I still have that Marca cover with my hand outstretched and five goals. A historic moment.
Q: You had a special relationship with John Benjamin Toshack, one of your coaches at Deportivo La Coruña. I heard he promised you extra days in Brazil for every goal you scored, is that true?
A: Yes. The day he made that promise, I scored three goals [laughs]... And then the coach kept his word and let me stay a few extra days in Brazil. The only problem I had in my last few months at Deportivo La Coruña was because of my grandmother, I needed to spend a lot of time in Brazil. So, Toshack promised me extra days for every goal. It was a very beautiful period in my life.
Q: You were just inducted into the Mexican Hall of Fame. How do you view this honor?
A: It's very important. I thank Grupo Pachuca for this honor, and I thank God, it also reminds me that I was once happy.