We asked midfielder Arturto pick his own five-a-side team consisting of players he's either played with or against during his career, including one current or former Crew SC teammate.
Kaká (Midfielder, Retired)
Background: Kaká and Artur both grew up in São Paulo and each went through the youth ranks there, while Kaká eventually returned to his hometown club before retiring.
Artur's Explanation: "For me, because he played in São Paulo, he’s an idol in São Paulo. For the person he is – he seems to be a very nice guy when I talked to him. As a player, everybody knows what he can do. When I was young, I liked the skill he had with the ball and the quality of his play."
David Neres (Winger, Ajax)
Background: The Brazilian winger also grew up alongside Artur in São Paulo's youth system and made the transfer from Brazil to the Eredivisie in 2017.
Artur's Explanation: "Yeah, we played together in São Paulo. He’s a very good player in 1v1. He’s a baller, that’s what we say. He’s just an amazing player. We won some championships together. ... He’s a very good winger."
Darlington Nagbe (Midfielder, Crew SC)
Background: This is the second time Nagbe has been listed in a teammate's top 5-a-side. A common theme brought up is his on-the-ball presence of mind.
Artur's Explanation: "He’s an amazing guy. He’s available to get the ball and get players. He can read plays and secure the ball to help his teammates. He helps the team on the field and myself to be playing by his side."
Miguel Almirón (Midfielder, Newcastle)
Background: The two players, of course, played against each other during Almirón's time with Atlanta United, where he helped deliver them a championship in 2018. Though, it is important to remember the final result in the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs...
Artur's Explanation: "He's not very fun to play against. He’s a very good player. He’s fast with or without the ball. It’s always a challenge to play against him."
Andrés Iniesta (Midfielder, Vissel Kobe)
Background: The Spaniard has done it all -- World Cup, UEFA Champions League, La Liga domination, and so on. In 2019, the two players went head-to-head in a Crew vs. Vissel Kobe preseason scrimmage.
Artur's Explanation: "You just can't imagine what he is going to do with the ball. He is very intelligent and just amazing at what he does."
