EVO2k just posted a great, in-depth interview with one of the most amazing Street Fighter players on the planet: Alex Valle .  He’s famous not only for his skills, but also his heart, and a never-say-die attitude that has made him a worldwide terror for over a decade.

After taking a step back, he’s on a mission this year with SFIV.  All roads lead to next month’s EVO World Finals , where he will face off against the best from around the planet, as well as a trash-talking younger generation of US Street Fighters. 

The interview is packed with great stuff on competition, drama, the community, the road to getting better (as opposed to just playing a lot), and more. 

This is the real deal people.  Check it out , and hit the jump for a bunch of EVO love that melts my cold, cold heart…

Adam:  Being able to feel the excitement at home reminded me of what it feels like to actually be in the room, and it’s just a call out to all of the younger players who might not feel ready to compete, it’s like EVO is our super-bowl, and itcosts nothing to go and watch it. You should be there.

Alex:  Yeah, absolutely. In my interview with Kotaku before they asked me, “why do you go to EVO?” You know, I went to EVO when it was called the b-series: B3, B4, B5, and then it turned into Evolution. I have a long history with these guys, and I know that they really know what they’re doing. They cater to the community 100%. They take into consideration what players think, you know? They don’t just override every rule, they take into consideration what the community thinks as much as possible, and they always deliver. And you have the best competition. You’re not just secluded to one region. All the regions come to this; all the top players who are known come to this.

Adam:  That’s part of the beauty of EVO, that it’s an open tournament that anyone can enter.

Alex:  That too, that too. You’ve got a great staff: they’re Street Fighter players, they’re friends in the community, not just some business CEO saying, “Get off me”, I can only talk to this time of the year. They’re hella cool.