Bandeirão takes Marcelinho by surprise and excites the star
Flamengo's winger received a medal from Patricia Amorim and was shocked by the fans' tribute
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
If the tribute to the individual record of points in a single match - 63 against São José, on March XNUMXth, at the HSBV Arena -, made by president Patrícia Amorim during the break of the game against Palmeiras/Araraquara, already took Marcelinho by surprise, when he saw his face printed on a flag tied in the stands.
As if Flamengo's return to the championship lead wasn't enough, the Flamengo winger admits he almost couldn't believe the tributes. Accustomed to seeing these giant banners at the Maracanã, with only the images of soccer idols, Marcelinho admits he's rarely felt such a profound emotion.
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"I was already very happy to have been honored by Patrícia, who, in addition to being our current president, was the person who put this team together. But when I saw my face on one of those flags, I was so moved and it was hard to contain my emotion. I never expected they would pay this kind of tribute to an athlete outside of soccer. I can only truly thank them for all their affection," said Marcelinho.
Always present at Maracanã to watch Flamengo's games, Marcelinho reveals that after seeing the tribute at HSBC Arena he imagined his flag alongside those of Zico, Júnior, Andrade, among other greats who shone with the Sacred Mantle.
"I told my brother Ricardo that I don't know if I'll be able to handle it if Flamengo fans take my flag to a Flamengo game at Maracanã," the player admits.
Despite having participated in three of the five state championship titles and the two Brazilian and South American League titles, Marcelinho admits he can't quite grasp the admiration the red-and-black fans have for him and the entire basketball team. Although he feels this affection firsthand at every Novo Basquete Brasil game, the red-and-black captain believes he'll only truly appreciate this respect once he retires.
"Despite all this affection, I can't fully grasp everything we've achieved wearing the Flamengo jersey and whether we've truly made history for the club. I think only when I stop playing and am stopped by fans on the streets will I truly understand what our entire journey means," he said.
But if it's up to Marcelinho, his achievements with his beloved club won't stop there. Leading the Novo Basquete Brasil competition after Brasília's stumble, Flamengo relies solely on its own strength to secure first place in the qualifying round and fight for a third title with home-court advantage.
"I gathered the group in the locker room after the game against Palmeiras and said that it's up to us to secure first place in the qualifying round. Of course, every defeat against a direct opponent benefits us, but we can't depend on that. We have to keep working hard and stay focused on the remaining games, as we have everything we need to achieve our goal," explained Marcelinho.
As if Flamengo's return to the championship lead wasn't enough, the Flamengo winger admits he almost couldn't believe the tributes. Accustomed to seeing these giant banners at the Maracanã, with only the images of soccer idols, Marcelinho admits he's rarely felt such a profound emotion.
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"I was already very happy to have been honored by Patrícia, who, in addition to being our current president, was the person who put this team together. But when I saw my face on one of those flags, I was so moved and it was hard to contain my emotion. I never expected they would pay this kind of tribute to an athlete outside of soccer. I can only truly thank them for all their affection," said Marcelinho.
Always present at Maracanã to watch Flamengo's games, Marcelinho reveals that after seeing the tribute at HSBC Arena he imagined his flag alongside those of Zico, Júnior, Andrade, among other greats who shone with the Sacred Mantle.
"I told my brother Ricardo that I don't know if I'll be able to handle it if Flamengo fans take my flag to a Flamengo game at Maracanã," the player admits.
Despite having participated in three of the five state championship titles and the two Brazilian and South American League titles, Marcelinho admits he can't quite grasp the admiration the red-and-black fans have for him and the entire basketball team. Although he feels this affection firsthand at every Novo Basquete Brasil game, the red-and-black captain believes he'll only truly appreciate this respect once he retires.
"Despite all this affection, I can't fully grasp everything we've achieved wearing the Flamengo jersey and whether we've truly made history for the club. I think only when I stop playing and am stopped by fans on the streets will I truly understand what our entire journey means," he said.
But if it's up to Marcelinho, his achievements with his beloved club won't stop there. Leading the Novo Basquete Brasil competition after Brasília's stumble, Flamengo relies solely on its own strength to secure first place in the qualifying round and fight for a third title with home-court advantage.
"I gathered the group in the locker room after the game against Palmeiras and said that it's up to us to secure first place in the qualifying round. Of course, every defeat against a direct opponent benefits us, but we can't depend on that. We have to keep working hard and stay focused on the remaining games, as we have everything we need to achieve our goal," explained Marcelinho.