Fábio Vieira is an integral part of the 'Portuguese firepower' present in Cyprus.
In a youth career split between Boavista and Sp. Espinho and finishing at Under-19 from Feirense, it was at his boyhood club – Sp. Espinho – that he took the firmest step towards a professional career, which began at Vitória Sport Clube. After three seasons with the B team, he also played for Freamunde, Anadia and Felgueiras before embracing his first adventure abroad at Olympiakos de Nicósia, a second-division team in Cyprus who, now that the season is over, secured promotion to the much-wanted top flight!
With Fábio Vieira being a huge fan of Football Manager, we couldn't miss the chance to interview him. Join us in this conversation!
Interview
FMPortugal.net: How did this passion of yours for CM/FM come about? What's your fondest memory from when you first got 'hooked'?
Fábio Vieira: This passion of mine started very early, since as a kid I spent hours and hours playing football, so spending hours on end playing CM/FM ended up being the obvious next step for someone as passionate about this sport as I am. I shared this addiction with my cousin Nuno, on the computer at his house, and my biggest memory is getting Sp. Espinho to Primeira Liga. I remember it like it was yesterday, celebrating like crazy at home! (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: What was your reaction when you saw yourself included in the game's official database? Did you start signing yourself for every team you managed, or did you let your player 'fly free'?
Fábio Vieira: I was over the moon! Even though my attributes back then were weaker (but realistic!), it was a matter of pride to see my player in a game that so many people around the world play! Given all that, I think everyone already knows what I do with my player (laughs): there are rarely times when he's not on my team, and even when I move to another club, he's my first signing! (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Turning our attention now to your current profile, what would you change for better… and worse? You're currently under the 'control' of our colleagues in charge of Cyprus, but we can have a word with them….! (laughs)
Fábio Vieira: I have to admit — impartially — that they did an excellent job. I recognise myself in how they've portrayed me in the game, so even though everything's spot on, a little word is always welcome! (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Do you usually start saves saves with the teams you play for in real life, just to have the 'thrill' of controlling your own player? (laughs) And when you manage him, do you give him any 'special treatment'?
Fábio Vieira: I do that every year, I always start with the team I'm playing for professionally, and the only exception was actually this year, since the Cypriot League isn't playable in the official database yet. Believe me, it's not just about controlling my own player, but mainly the pleasure of managing my teammates' players, who I know so well. I really enjoy moving from my real-life situation into the virtual world and putting my own ideas into practice. As for 'special treatment'… needless to say, my player always plays, I don't like to 'annoy' him… (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: And as a manager, do you usually create and develop your own tactics, or do you turn to forums and use ones built by other people? And when it comes to signing players, did you use shortlists or did you set scouts loose in search of 'the next CR7'?
Fábio Vieira: I almost always use the same tactic (which I designed myself), since it's had years of refinement across the previous editions I've played, as I like the way the team plays and dominates the game, so with each edition I just tweak a few small details. For signing players, I usually invest heavily in the scouting department: I always have them travelling the world, waiting for them to recommend me yet another gem who'll be worth millions a few months later. (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Do you usually play with fellow professionals? Which of them have you 'thrashed' the most? (laughs)
Fábio Vieira: Back when we were at Vitória Sport Clube, myself and Telmo Castanheira (interview with 'Mr. Left Foot') did a save save with teams fighting against relegation in the Premier League: I survived on the last matchday and he ended up getting sacked, so once again the game was pretty realistic about our ability as managers! (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Lastly, setting 'virtual reality' aside for a moment, in this 2018/2019 season that's now ending, you had a surprise in store for all Campeonato de Portugal followers and ventured to Cyprus (Olympiakos Nicosia). After a season that ended in glory (promoted to the top flight), what were the main differences you felt compared to Portugal?
Fábio Vieira: The first 'shock' was the weather: not only did it barely rain, it was really hot right up until… early December! That said, the biggest everyday difficulty I ran into, apart from the language, is that they drive on the left here. It was a new skill that wasn't easy to pick up at first.
On the football side, having two training sessions a day at 7:30 (because of the heat) and at 19:00 during pre-season gave me some trouble, since I'd usually go to bed around 1am (habits I could only change little by little) and had to get up at 6am, so you can imagine what 'waking up' was like for me (laughs)!
Quick Questions:
First edition you played?
CM 01/02
Favourite edition?
FM 17
Favourite league to play in?
English
Favourite team to play as?
Sp. Espinho
Opposing team that always gave you headaches?
Barcelona
Biggest achievement?
Becoming national champion with Sp. Espinho!
Best club you've seen your player transfer to (without any influence from you)?
Not easy to remember, since I usually take him with me everywhere! (laughs)
A great debut season for Fábio Vieira in his first adventure abroad: not only was he a regular fixture in the team, he also made a valuable contribution to promotion from Olympiakos Nicosia to Cypriot top flight! And now, what will the next step be? We'll keep following you here. Wishing you an excellent 2019/2020 season!
Some of the best moments from Fábio Vieira in Olympiakos de Nicósia
