Bahia's new XI and Everton player Ribeiro highlights the ambitious project and points to Sené's role in the selection | Bahia

He is 34 years old, midfielder Everton Ribeiro reach to Bahia In the arms of the fans and with great signature status. But it goes beyond that. A new era at Tricolor is symbolized by the multi-time champion former Flamengo player, who made sure to leave a message on the day the signing was announced: “It's time to look for the best.”

Indeed, the midfielder arrives hungry to achieve, as he made clear in his press conference.

– Show that Bahia has reached the top of the table, fighting for big things. It's about thinking big, and being surprised… (…) They presented me with a very ambitious project, of enormous scale. What motivates me is new challenges, the search for titles, and trying to make history – added the player.

– When he called me, he was a man I admired, all the conversation we had, envisioning where I could play, what the team could be like… He is a visionary man, thinking about the future, very ambitious. He is ready to make Bahia even greater than it is now.

Everton Ribeiro was introduced by Cado Santoro, Bahia's director of football. The manager stressed that the arrival of the tri-colour number 10 shows the club’s aspirations for the coming years.

– Today, for us, is a very special day. We started talking in the last few weeks. Everton have always been someone willing to understand the project. During the conversations, we explained the project, in this first year of the move, and what we intend to do with the club. When an athlete of Everton's caliber accepts this challenge, it shows what we want for the years to come. I have no doubt that we will work together to continue to grow and position Bahia where it should be.

Although his off-field future is on track, Bahia's new No.10 ensures he is not yet thinking about hanging up his boots.

– It was part of what we talked about, that in the post-career period, I could consider staying in the group. But it's still far away [risos]. You came to play, to win. This is what motivated me most to be here. I think it will be a very positive year.

Everton arrived in Salvador on Sunday morning and were greeted by a crowd of fans. He still returned to Rio de Janeiro to say goodbye to his former Flamengo teammates. On Monday, the midfielder will join the Esquadrao squad, and on Tuesday travels with the group's pre-season squad in Manchester.

Everton Ribeiro was Flamengo's captain in the club's 11 wins between 2019 and 2022.. Among the awards are two Brazilian championships, two Copa Libertadores titles and a Brazilian Cup. He still has a string of important cups with other teams, such as his second Brazilian championship with Cruzeiro. In 2022, he participated in the World Cup in Qatar.

Everton played 94 matches with Flamengo and scored 46 goals. But in 2023, the midfielder became a reserve, but he made 62 appearances, with three goals in the net and seven assists. At Bahia, the new reinforcement arrives with starting status and the chance to make 'noise' with two midfielders alongside Cawley.

-The idea is to be a champion for both [Campeonato Baiano e Copa do Nordeste]. When Bahia has to think about the championship, it has to think about winning. I will do everything to achieve this. What drives me is winning, being a champion. It is a very ambitious project. I'm about to start. There will be a pre-season. Then the piano starts. Every match is a final. He's looking for these titles that I don't have.

Watch other excerpts from the press conference:

Pre-season in Manchester:
– The pre-season provides a strong base throughout the year. It will be good to be close to new companions to get to know them faster and find out their preferences. It will be a fantastic pre-season in an exceptional place.

Physical condition:
– I was on vacation, training while maintaining the physical aspect. The pre-season is important. It's about preparing well and staying ready. There are many games.

More about Sini:
– Talking about Rogerio is easy. We were champions together. He's a winning guy. He was once a winning player. He seeks excellence, the best in the player. He asks what needs to be done, and he also guides and praises. When he called me, he was someone who liked, in every conversation he had with me, where I could play, what the team could be like. He is a man of vision and ambition. All these qualities make him a winner.

Submitted project:
– They presented me with an ambitious and huge project. It motivates me. I needed these new challenges, so I could go after titles again and make history. And everything Bahia has given me, with everyone I've spoken to, everything is being done. They said the fans would be waiting for me, and I was surprised. Today is Sunday with a warm welcome. This gives me more enthusiasm and anxiety to be on the field. The forecast is very good. I really believe in this team, and in my teammates. The team strengthens itself. More players will arrive so we can have a great year. I think it's going to be a great year for everyone.

– When I talked about a project, it is a team that seeks titles, and is becoming increasingly stronger, which shows that Bahia is a team that must be looked at differently. This is what motivates me. It motivates us to look for a new Libertadores to compete in these major competitions.

Best position to play
-I imagine playing with him [Cauly], with midfielders Biel, Ademir. The place to play is with Rogério. He will see where the pieces fit best. It's about creating a balanced team that can defend itself well.

family:
– It's normal, it's normal for you to miss it at first. It's been many years, almost seven years. In football, it's almost life. They are happy that their father has chosen a great team, they are excited about the new colors, and they are looking forward to learning. They love this environment. This motivates me a lot. For their sake and for the fans, I will do my best to make it a success.