The start of the 2018-19 season is approaching. With a new squad, a new coach, and the same desire to win everything, Flamengo will pursue every title it can, always counting on the strength of the nation and its reinforcements. One of the new names for Flamengo is Franco Balbi, who joins as point guard.

This will be the Argentine's first time playing outside his home country. Regarding his expectations, Balbi states that he wants to be very successful here. "I hope this time is successful; I want to enjoy it and continue to grow. What led me to choose to play in Brazil was the sporting aspect, seeking another experience, and also the club. Playing for Flamengo will be very special," he said.

Flamengo has a long tradition of players from Argentina, such as Walter Herrmann and Federico Kammerichs, as well as Nicolás Laprovittola, one of the greatest idols in the recent history of FlaBasquete. A personal friend of the former No. 7, Franco stated that the two spoke after signing the contract. "I spoke with Nico after closing the deal, and he told me about the club and, most importantly, the fans. I hope to be on par with the Argentines who have played here," he commented.

In October, the Pride of the Nation will travel to the United States to face the Orlando Magic in another preseason friendly. For the point guard, it will be a chance to improve. "It's a great opportunity to play against an NBA team. We'll test ourselves against top-tier players, and it's a huge challenge for me personally, as it is for the entire team," analyzed Franco Balbi.

Concluding the conversation, the player said what fans should know about him: "You can expect a lot of sacrifice. Always moving forward and playing the best basketball," he added.