Tiago Manuel Dias Correia may not ring a bell, but mention Bebe and many of you will think of the player who played for Rayo Vallecano, Eibar, Real Zaragoza and Manchester United.
Now, the Cape Verdean striker is in the final years of his career, playing in the colours of UD Ibiza, and, after two years without playing for his national team, he dreams of being part of the squad for the World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States in 2026, which will be the first in the history of the African nation.
Flashscore spoke to him at length about this and many other topics, including his special time at Vallecas and his period at Sir Alex Ferguson's United.
During the conversation, Bebe revealed himself to be a great connoisseur of the beautiful game, beyond having a very good career that only lacks the icing on the cake of playing in the World Cup.
The call from Paco Jemez
Question: What's it like in Ibiza, Bebe?
Answer: "The truth is that life is very good. From the moment I arrived in Ibiza, I've been liking the climate a lot. Also, in summer it's very good, in winter it's a bit quieter, but the truth is that the quality of life is very good."
When you were in Ferrol, how did you get the opportunity to come to Ibiza?
"The opportunity, as everyone knows, came because I was with Paco Jemez for several seasons and things in Ferrol were not going as I wanted and as the club also wanted. On both sides, we decided to reach the end of the contract, and Paco had also spoken to me, and I saw that it was an interesting situation and an interesting change for me.
"The truth is that I liked the change and I am enjoying it. I've been here for a season and a half, and the truth is that I'm really enjoying being here in Ibiza. Let's see how the situation goes".
A year ago, I interviewed Paco, who is no longer here, and he also spoke very highly of you. How is your relationship with him?
"The truth is that it is a very healthy relationship, very good. We have a very good friendship, both within and outside the profession. We are always in contact. He's a person I'm very fond of, a coach I respect a lot, from the first day we started working together.
"Paco knows that I always wish him the best and that his teams do well. He deserves good things because he has a very good heart and is a very good coach."
Last year, you were there fighting to play in the playoffs, to try to go up to the second division, but this year things didn't go so well, and you had to leave. How is the team's mood at the moment?
"The team is fine, there's no turning back. We didn't achieve our objective, which was to get into the playoffs, which is a long way off. We have to make things clear, but now we have an objective that is also very important, which is to stay there.
"Ibiza can't go down, we have to turn it around. We're a bit sad that we didn't achieve our objective, both us and the coach and the president, because the objective from the start of the season was to be in the Playoffs and to go up to the second division.
"The truth is that it was a bit complicated for us, but that's football. Things didn't go as you planned, but we mustn't lower our heads or our arms, because we don't have the objective of going to the playoffs, but we have an important objective, which is to dignify the shirt and this club, which is a great club, and to leave it in the First Federation.
"That's why we have to give everything in the four games that remain and achieve permanence as quickly as possible".
Respect and be respected
In a dressing room that knows it is capable of much more, how do you live a complicated situation?
"It's not good, because it's a club that demands a lot. The president demands a lot from us. We don't have a fan base that puts us under pressure, that gives us so much pressure, but the truth is that the club has a lot of pressure with the coaches that come in, with the president.... It's a demanding club, a club that demands a lot from the players who come here because it's clear that they want to go up to the second division.
"The truth is that it's bad luck, because two years ago, last season and the other, they lost in the playoffs. So, this year, not getting in there, I think it's bad for us, for the team, because from the start of the season we built a team based on that, on good players to try to reach that objective and we didn't achieve it.
"But in football you never know what you might find and now there's no turning back. Now we have to fight for the remaining matches and do our best".
You say that here the fans take care of you, they don't put so much pressure on you... In Ferrol you had a clash with a small group of fans, do you think that sometimes the fans think that, because they pay a ticket, they have the right to say anything to the footballers and ask them for anything?
"No, those are things that happen. The fans have the right to shout, to scream, but I don't think anyone has the right to come and insult me or another team-mate, because we are human beings, everyone fails. I think there are various ways of demanding or supporting the team, both when things are going badly and when things are going well.
"Disrespect is a bit wrong in that respect. I believe that people come to enjoy football, to support their team, both when things are going badly and when things are going well, but to get to the point of offending and going over the top, I don't think it's right on my part and on the part of the fans. Respect has to be mutual".
Vallecas: His second home
You have played in many parts of Spain: Rayo Vallecano, Eibar, now Ibiza, Zaragoza... What is it that made you settle in Spain after leaving England and Portugal?
"Apart from the fact that I really liked Spanish football and apart from the fact that in Spain I was well accepted by the teams I played for, the truth is that the people took good care of me. And with respect to all the teams I played for, I played for one club, Rayo, which, apart from looking after me a lot, both professionally and personally, outside the club, is a team that I have a lot of affection for, and I will always have it because I was there for many years.
"Both the players who came through, the coaches, the people who work at the club, from the president, the physio, the kit man, the cleaners.... Rayo is a family team, a team that welcomes you and the people feel at home. I think that apart from football and the teams I've played for, Rayo is a team that has given me a lot of stability and I owe a lot to them too".
Everyone who passes through Rayo speaks highly of them and that familiar team is now in a European semi-final. How do you feel about that?
"Yes, Rayo is a team that over the years has grown too much, and I think that is the basis of the commitment of a team that is a family. You can have good players, but the group counts a lot. From the first day, any player who arrives new to Rayo feels at home because the people respect him, accept him well, make him feel at home and I think that is very important.
"I am very happy that Rayo is in a semi-final. I think they have the capacity to win the Conference because they are showing that they are doing things very well. It's not going to be easy, but I think Rayo can make history once again and I would really like Rayo to go to the final and win the Conference League".
Living in Alex Ferguson's house
You knew early on what it was like to play in Europe, to experience being in a big team? What were those early days in Manchester like?
"I went to England, where, when I arrived, it was considered one of the best teams in the world. It was very difficult for a 21-year-old kid to adapt to the country on his own, and it was very difficult for me. I don't regret it, because things don't happen twice. Luck doesn't knock on your door twice.
"But I think I needed a bit more experience, a bit more games played that I didn't have yet, but these are experiences that remain with me. I learned a lot with a lot of players, with the coach and these are experiences that I keep.
"As I didn't have so much experience, I think it took me a while to adapt, but I think that if I had stayed in Portugal playing for one or two more seasons, I would have arrived in a different way, but things happen for a reason, and I don't regret it".
You were playing under a legend like Ferguson. What was day-to-day life like with him?
"The day-to-day with me was very good. From the moment I arrived, the first year was a very interesting year because he looked after me a lot. He was always looking after me, he treated me very well during the time I was there. The first house I went to, I rented it from him, I stayed in his flat.
"He looked after me a lot, he gave me a lot of advice on what to do and what not to do. He always told me to look at the more experienced players, both on a day-to-day basis, as well as outside, as coaching, but I think being coached by him is like a source of pride and I think many people would like to have been coached by him and so I'm happy about that".
A possible dream and a special duel against Spain
You say that trains don't run twice... You haven't played for Cape Verde for two years and now you have qualified for your first World Cup? Do you see yourself with a chance of being called up?
"Yes, the truth is that since I came (to Ibiza), I don't know if it's because of the category, but when I was in Segunda, when I was in Ferrol, I went to the national team, I don't know if it's because of the lower category, but the truth is that I feel physically and mentally capable of continuing to represent the national team.
"It's not up to me to make that decision, I think the coach knows if he has to call me or not, but the truth is that it would be a unique opportunity for me, also with the age I am, the experience I have, the games I've played, my experience both on and off the field and within the national team, I think I could be a very important asset for the World Cup.
"Because I know the national team well, the trust I have with the coach, with the players, I think I could help a lot, but that's not up to me, it's up to the coach to choose, so we have to wait. The truth is that I always hope to be called up. But it's not up to me, it's up to the coach to choose the best players he thinks are fit to represent the national team, but I'll always be happy.
"Whether I'm going or not, I'll always be supporting my teammates, and I'll always be rooting for them.
I think there is always a place for someone of your category, but beyond that, what would it mean for Bebe to play in a World Cup and what does it mean for Cape Verde to be in such an event?
"For the country it's like the ultimate. Cape Verde is a very small country. We are becoming more and more known worldwide, although I think there are a lot of people who don't know Cape Verde, but it is a very beautiful country to visit. On holiday, it's crazy, it's a country that eats very well, the weather is unique, and the people are very cheerful.
"For the country it is unique because it is historical. It's very difficult for a country with 500,000 inhabitants to be in the World Cup, I don't think anyone expected it. We had a great group stage for the World Cup, we deserved it, nobody gave us anything for free, I think Cape Verde is here on its own merit.
"People are very happy, people are eager to go and support the national team. In the United States, there are a lot of Cape Verdean people, and Cape Verde will have a lot of support in the games. I hope that people will come to support.
"For me, it would be something in my life... I think it would be, from a professional point of view, the best thing that could happen to me in my life. I've already played in all the competitions, so now I only need to play in a World Cup and also with Cape Verde, it would be unique, to wear the jersey...
"My family would be very proud and happy to be able to play in a World Cup and even more so in the national team's jersey. At 35 years old, I've already done a lot of things in football. I think I've already made my mark, especially in Spain. Going to a World Cup would be the top for when I finish playing to be able to tell my children and my family that I will play in a World Cup with the Cape Verde national team".
The World Cup comes with the 'prize' of playing against two world champions (Spain and Uruguay) in the same group. You know Spain well. What is the difficulty that Cape Verde will have beyond the fact that 'La Roja' is one of the favourites?
"Everyone knows that Spain are one of the favourites for the World Cup without a doubt. It's going to be a very difficult match for Cape Verde; things are as they are. But the truth is that I think there are a lot of people who give up every game, that they are going to beat Cape Verde, that it will be easy, but I don't see it that way.
"The group is like match by match and I think Cape Verde can surprise some teams and I hope people will be attentive because we have a lot of good players, and young players too, players who know what they are going for and it is a unique opportunity. Cape Verde has evolved a lot over the years and I think they can give work to a lot of teams."
Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, a great team? What do you see as Spain's greatest strengths?
"Spain have top world players. The truth is that Lamine and Nico are missing a lot and I hope they get there well, that they recover. But apart from those two, I think the Spanish national team has top-level players, so I think they can come in from all sides.
"The coach is having a headache about who he is going to call up for the World Cup, because the truth is that he has many interesting players and many players who can play perfectly well in that position and that's why they are one of the favourites to win the World Cup. So the coach must have a lot of headaches."
Maybe De Frutos from Rayo might make the team?
"I would like it very much because he is a player with whom I shared, he is a very good person, a very good player and the truth is that he is a very good teammate. The truth is that I would be happy because he was my teammate. We get on very well, to be honest, and I would like a Rayo player to go to the World Cup.
"I think there is Pathe Ciss, so there would be two, which I would like very much because they are two people who deserve it and are making the numbers, but I know that it is very difficult in the position of De Frutos".
Calmer with age
What do you like to do around Ibiza when you're not playing football?
"I am very calm now. With my age, I'm getting a bit less energetic, but I like to be quiet at home. I'm very much at home, even if it doesn't seem like it (laughs). Now I like being at home a lot, but I like going out with the kids, going for a drink in the afternoon when the weather is good, going for a walk, because there are always people in the street, it's always good weather, but I'm not much of a doer.
Do you have a good atmosphere in the dressing room? It's also clear that you are one of those who create unity.
"Yes, always, I always try to be good, to be happy, to try to be together, to form a group with the players? Of course, everyone has their own friends, who get on better or worse, but I always like to try to be with as many teammates as possible so that the atmosphere during the day and throughout the year is healthy".
What are Bebe's next steps when he manages to save Ibiza?
"To be honest, I don't know. I finish my contract this season, and I'll leave that to my agent, who will call me for sure. Now I'm thinking about playing these four games, so that Ibiza achieve their objective, which is to stay in the league, and after that, when the league finishes and I go on holiday, I'm sure my agent will call me and tell me things".
Thank you very much for speaking to Flashscore, a pleasure.
"The pleasure is all mine. Thank you very much."
