João Palhinha on Bayern Munich, Vincent Kompany and more
João Palhinha is all revved up and ready to go after sealing a "dream" move to Bayern Munich in the summer. bundesliga.com spoke to the Portugal midfielder ahead of the record champions' opening fixture of the 2024/25 top-flight campaign in Wolfsburg...
bundesliga.com: So, the Portuguese questions, they already said your name might be a bit difficult to pronounce. I'd like to ask you to introduce yourself into the camera, so I can listen to how you properly pronounce it...
João Palhinha: "So, my name is João Maria Lobo Alves Palhinha Gonçalves. When I married my wife, I put these two names together."
bundesliga.com: People in England had problems pronouncing your name, right? I think they do with other Portuguese players as well. How about your teammates or other people you met in Germany? Did they pronounce it correctly?
Palhinha: "I think my teammates don't know my full name yet. They just use 'João' or 'Palhinha'. That's fine with me."
Watch: João Palhinha "proud" to join Bayern
bundesliga.com: Let's talk about what you did this summer, because you played at the Euros, then came here to Bayern. Did you have a short recovery period?
Palhinha: "Yes, I had two-and-a-half, almost three weeks. It was good to enjoy things, switch off for a bit, rest with the family, with my son. It was really important for me. I think for everyone it's really important. Now I'm back to work, a new chapter, and of course, I'm itching to play for Bayern and give everything that I have."
bundesliga.com: You wanted to join the club last season, but it didn't work out. Do you feel relieved about being here now?
Palhinha: "Yes, of course. They came in for me before. I think I have a mindset that tells me if things don't happen it's for a reason. After the transfer collapsed last summer, that was my thinking. If something's going to happen in the future, it'll happen. That's what happened. It's a good thing for me to be here. And that's the important thing. I don't want to think too much about the past. I want to live in the present. And the most important thing is I'm wearing the shirt now and ready to give everything."
bundesliga.com: Is it a dream come true to move to Bayern and the Bundesliga?
Palhinha: "Yes, of course. When you represent a big club like Bayern, you've reached the very highest level. I've realised my dream, but I know I will feel completely fulfilled when I have success here. It's not just signing for Bayern that is a dream come true, but being successful here. I want to write my own story here, and win trophies. I know last season was tough for the club and for the fans, and we need to give everything this season to try to win something."
bundesliga.com: I understand you don't want to look back too much, but was it difficult after the transfer fell through?
Palhinha: "It was a difficult time, but as I said before I knew that I needed to keep playing for the club, at Fulham, and I did. Of course the first weeks were tough for me. I had some talks with the gaffer and he helped me get back up to my highest level. I played a great season as well at Fulham, which led to me coming here. I wouldn't be here without doing my job for Fulham. And the second chance came because I did a good job there and for the national team. Now I'm ready to fight for trophies here."
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bundesliga.com: What does it mean to you to play in the Bundesliga? What are your expectations?
Palhinha: "I expect a big challenge. I know that it’s a tough league with many quality players. It's a physical league. I had some teammates, older teammates that played here and they told me that it's a tough league to play in. It's not easy here, but I'm looking forward to playing for Bayern and getting some wins under the belt. This is really important for us. Let's see how the season goes."
bundesliga.com: You already mentioned winning titles, which is always the objective at Bayern. Is this move a step up for you?
Palhinha: "I think people remember the players that win trophies, and write their name in the club's history. It's what matters. Players at big clubs that don't win things aren't remembered as much. We all want to win everything here. The staff, everyone. We need to fight with all the energy we have to win titles this season. That's really important for us."
bundesliga.com: There's a lot of tradition at Bayern, with players like Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, who've been there a long time and are almost part of the DNA of the club. What's your view of these guys?
Palhinha: "I think they are the club. They're top players and a reference point for everyone. Müller, Kimmich and Neuer, what they have been doing at this club for so many years their quality. To share the pitch with them and so many other quality players - but especially them because they have made history at the club - it makes me really proud. I will give everything that I have to try and help them win the trophies they deserve. They've won a lot of titles between them. So it's important for me to win some in my first season at the club."
bundesliga.com: You mentioned the quality at Bayern. That means competition for places in all positions. How do you feel about that?
Palhinha: "I think that if you have a team with so many competitive players it's natural the team improves, because everyone wants to play. Everyone's ready and when you have this quality, the team gets better, which is what's happening with us right now. When everyone's back fit, we'll have a top team."
bundesliga.com: Talk to us about Bayern and Portugal teammate Raphaël Guerreiro. What's your relationship like?
Palhinha: "Rapha has been really nice to me. We have a good relationship. Of course it's good when you have someone who speaks your language when you're new. But most of the players speak in English, so my integration's been good. I already know most of the players, and step by step I will be integrated even more."
bundesliga.com: Vincent Kompany has also worked in England. What did you know about him before and what are your impressions of him now?
Palhinha: "He really understands football. He wants us to play his way and we're learning a lot from him. He's a top coach, and I'm proud to be playing for him. He will improve me as a player, and I'll give everything to help him and the team be successful."
bundesliga.com: Bayern face Wolfsburg in their Bundesliga opener, when you could come up against Tiago Tomás. Have you two spoken?
Palhinha: "Not yet, but we will, for sure. We had a great relationship at Sporting [Lisbon]. He's a great player, great person and I think we will talk soon. I hope it's a good game, a good win for us - but it'll be good to see him again."
Watch: Palhinha scored in Bayern's pre-season friendly win over Tirol
bundesliga.com: What are you looking forward to most about playing in the Bundesliga? Stadiums are always full, the atmosphere is always electric. Is that something you're excited about?
Palhinha: "Yes, of course. I can't wait to get started, to experience the atmosphere, especially at the Allianz [Arena]. I know from watching it in the past that most games are sold out. That makes you proud as a player, to feel that everyone is supporting you, or not as the case may be - but you prefer to play in front of a full house. I know it's a physical league, an intense league. It's not easy to win games in the Bundesliga. Clubs will try to give everything against us, and we need to give everything that we have, too."
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