Walter, the 'Fat striker': Incredible case-study in football

Walter

“This is to shut a lot of people” says the striker Walter after the games that he stands out. With 1.76 meters tall and 93 kg! (pasmén!), he has been the star of this current season playing for Fluminense in the Brazilian football. The ‘fat striker’ was match-winner in the last 3 games, scoring decisive goals and giving a lot of assists to his teammates. Including two goals in the derby-match Fluminense 3 – 1 Flamengo, at Maracanã stadium – Rio de Janeiro city.

Voted the best player in the Brazilian League 2013, the 24 years old is a case study. No doubt. Never in the history of Brazilian football we saw a fat player stand out. He is very complete, not being only a goalscorer, he is skillful, with hard work spirit and gives assists – unusual peculiarity for a striker. For example, in the last year he was the fourth player who made more assists in Brazilian League - better assists performances than him only the playmakers Clarence Seedorf (played for Botafogo and now is the current Milan coach), Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro) and the argentinean Andrés D’Alessandro (Internacional). But, if we consider only assists through ground balls, Walter gave 63 assists with ground balls, much more than anyone player.

“He is a phenomenon, if I were the Brazil national team coach, (Luis Felipe Scolari) I would call him to play for Brazil in the next World Cup. Walter would be a great option for backup players like Neymar, Oscar, Willian, Hulk and Fred” said the legendary ex-forward Bebeto, world champion for Brazil at World Cup 1994 in USA.

“Despite the unpleasant physical, Walter is a smart player who protects the ball very well, and he has the strength and a powerful shoot kick” tells the coach Enderson Moreira, who worked with him last year.

The fitness coaches who are working in the world football a long time are more cautions about his body conditions. They prefer noting that is best for the progress of the player decreased weight, despite the huge technical potential shown with his physical overweight.

“He can shine playing with that body, but it is remarkable that his performance would be much better if he has a fat percentage ideal for an athlete. He needs to leave the rebellious side and understand that it will be better for his career reducing the body fat percentage” analyse the fitness coach, Marcio Pereira.

“Walter has already amazing football skills to be one of the best players in America, but he could be much better if understands that needs reduces that body fat percentage” said Plácido Nogueira, also fitness coach.

The current Fluminense coach, Renato Gaucho – which was a great brazilian player in the 1980′s and 90′s, has made it clear: he wants to see Walter shaped in the fastest time possible.“He has shown that is a amazing footballer, which he did in the Brazilian Championship 2013 qualifies him to be a great player, but he needs to lose weight if wants to build an even better career” declare Renato Gaucho.

Powerful, with smart moves, powerful shoot kicks and incredible opportunism, Walter is the most loved footballer in the country today.

Rough Childhood

Walter grew up in the slums of Recife city. He was the youngest of a family with six brothers (one of them was killed in a bus when Walter had 7 years old), who were created only by mother, called Edith. She supported the family by selling perfume in the streets and alleys of the city.

During his childhood, Walter saw assaults and murders around himself. At 11 years old, hidden behind a wall, a little Walter witnessed an attempted carjacking in which the driver reacted and was shot, the killer escaped and a little Walter saw up close the driver agonize and die..

He also worked pushing carts full of cardboard to gain some tips.

Curiosities

Walter was backup to the striker Radamel Falcão Garcia when he was playing for Porto FC, in Portugal. He also played alongside Neymar for Brazil national team in the triumph of the South American U-20 Championship 2009. Playing for Internacional and Cruzeiro, he was considered only as a promise player, but he matured and became an unquestionable player since 2012 when signed with Goiás.

Career: Internacional (2008 – 2010), Porto FC (2010-11), Cruzeiro (2012), Goiás (2012-13), Fluminense (2014).

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