Felipe Anderson is a human being first and a footballer second.
West Ham United’s Brazilian winger is concerned by the way the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting the world, the way people act, think and interact, but his deep religious faith and confidence in humanity mean he is remaining positive for the future.
A deep thinker with a caring conscience, the No8 has remained in London during the lockdown and is following government guidelines by staying at home, following the Club’s fitness programme, eating healthily and going out just once a day to exercise in his local park.
With football currently suspended, Felipe Anderson is also using his additional free time productively, studying the Bible, reading and even learning to paint and play the violin. Earlier this week, he also celebrated his 27th birthday at home with his brother Julian.
All the time, however, the well-rounded Hammer’s thoughts never stray far from how the coronavirus is affecting those around him.
“It’s a very sad situation, people dying, people suffering, sad families, families that are losing their jobs,” he observed. “I think that everybody is at home thinking of those people. I’ve been thinking a lot of what we could do for them so we can help them some way, everyone doing a little bit, everyone doing their part, to help whoever needs it the most right now.
“I think it will make people and the world in general to be more united and help more, and I think we will win the battle against coronavirus, together.”
Keeping fit
Like tens of thousands of professional footballers all over the world, Felipe Anderson is working to maintain his fitness in isolation, following a programme of exercises and a diet provided to him by the Club’s coaching and nutritional staff.
The South American has shared videos of his work on Instagram, with his dog, a German Shepherd named Bella, giving him a helping hand!
“I received, alongside with all the other players, specific programmes to keep our shape every day,” he continued. “We are in touch with them to train at home, we are training hard even if it’s not with our teammates, but it doesn’t matter, we need to stay fit and active, with our fitness as close to the top [as possible].
“We have a schedule for the week. We stay in touch in video to do some quick strengthening exercises and we are using technology to stay connected and keep ourselves fit, work hard and think of the future.
“I live with my brother Julian and my puppy, and we have divided the things we have to do at home, we also train together, and he helps me with food as well.
“We are living hard times, we have to stay home instead of being at football, with friends or at church but we have to see the good in it and be united. I train the muscular part at home and go out running in the park to keep myself fit.”
Keeping in touch
Like many of his teammates, and hundreds of Premier League players, Felipe Anderson is living away from his family and childhood friends.
In his case, his brother aside, the family and friends are either back in Brazil, or in Italy, where he spent five seasons with Lazio prior to joining West Ham in the summer of 2018.
Previously, family members have flown to Europe to help him celebrate his birthday, but coronavirus meant they were unable to do so this year.
He is thankful, therefore, for his smartphone, laptop and the video chat apps to help him keep in touch with his loved ones.
“I’m grateful for technology, that has helped us a lot,” the 2016 Olympic Gold medallist confirmed. “I’m usually far from my family but they usually come here in this time of the year to spend my birthday. Unfortunately, this year they couldn’t come, but we stay in touch every day through the internet. We have been constantly together because they’re also in isolation at home in Brazil. “Technology has also helped me to talk often to my friends as well to see what they’re doing or how can I help them.”
Keeping busy
Felipe Anderson has never been one for sitting around and doing nothing.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, he was continuing to take lessons to improve his already impressive English, while his Catholic Christian faith meant he was a regular churchgoer.
In isolation, he has continued to keep himself busy.
“But now I remembered all those things, and I alternate them, so I keep myself busy, so this time has been quite productive.
“I’m studying the Bible as well, which is something very important to me, so I’m calm and enjoying this time off as much as I can.”
Felipe Anderson believes keeping his mind and body active are key to maintaining mental and physical wellbeing and a positive outlook for the future.
“I recommend, before everything, to keep your spirits high, to think positive, to move as much as possible inside your home,” he said.
“If you can go for a run to a park even better. To be active helps a lot for the body and mind, to pray and ask God to help us and protect us in this battle.
“I watch films, but I only watch three a week because I don’t like too much to spend time in front of TV, so I recommend watching some films and series but then setting them aside and doing more active stuff.
“I know everybody have things that they always wanted to do but didn’t have time, so I believe now it’s the time to do them. That’s my recommendation.”
Keeping positive
While it will be some time before competitive football can be played and even longer before life returns to normal, Felipe Anderson is remaining steadfastly optimistic about the long-term future – for himself, for West Ham United and for the world.
“In my future I see myself stronger than before both personally and professionally,” he concluded. “And when the league comes back I hope to be in shape to help my team as much as possible and in life, I’m sure that this will make us stronger.
“The world will definitely change but I think this will make us unite, the people will be more united, I think God will help us in this situation, and in football my goal is to help my team win and move up the table.”
