Seedorf: I have no regrets

 RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Clarence Seedorf said he has no regrets about joining Brazilian club Botafogo, despite the team's failure to secure a place in next year's Copa Libertadores.

The 36-year-old joined the Rio de Janeiro outfit¹ in July after ending his 10-year career with Italian Serie A giants AC Milan.

Seedorf impressed with nine goals in 21 matches while playing in an unfamiliar² role as an attacking midfielder.

Despite his efforts Botafogo finished the season seventh in Brazil top-flight, three places away from a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores - South America's elite³ club competition.

"I have to say that I don't regret anything about my decision to come to Botafogo," Seedorf said.

"It has been intense and a great experience. It's a new culture in terms of football and also life."

Traditionally one of Brazil's strongest clubs with a proud history, Botafogo has not won the Brazilian championship since 1995.

Seedorf said he was keen to help the club relive its glorious past.

"Botafogo has an ambitious project. It is an ambitious club. They want to return to the glory days but with a young team. It really is a great source of motivation for me after 10 years with Milan."

Brazil has been a positive experience both on and off the pitch for Seedorf, who is relishing⁴ living in Rio with his Brazilian-born wife, Luviana, and their four children.

But he admits to being disappointed by the low attendances in Brazilian football.

Despite the media storm that accompanied Seedorf's arrival, Botafogo averaged just 9000 fans at their home matches in 2012.

They were one of eight Brazilian top-flight clubs to have a median attendance of less than 10,000.

The only team to average more than 25,000 spectators was Corinthians with 25,222.

"What most has most surprised me is the fans. They are all crazy about football but don't really go the stadium."

1 outfit   

n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装

参考例句：

• Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
• His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。

2 unfamiliar   

adj.陌生的，不熟悉的

参考例句：

• I am unfamiliar with the place and the people here.我在这儿人地生疏。
• The man seemed unfamiliar to me.这人很面生。

3 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

4 relishing   

v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望

参考例句：

• He ate quietly, relishing his meal. 他安静地吃着，细细品味着食物。 来自辞典例句
• Yes, an iron rampart," he repeated, relishing his phrase. 是的，就是铜墙铁壁，"他很欣赏自己用的这个字眼，又重复了一遍。 来自飘（部分）