Flamengo had a major reinforcement in the warm-up for the match against Internacional, this Wednesday (05), at Maracanã. Flamengo's football and basketball players entered the field with the new Mantle of the Pride of the Nation, which bears the shield with two stars on the chest, in honor of the sport's second world championship, won in February, in Egypt.

It was the fans' first encounter with the Mais Querido squad for the 22/23 season and its reinforcements. Gui Deodato, Gabriel Jaú, and Argentines Penka Aguirre, Jose Vildoza, and Loku Cuello made their debuts on the Maracanã pitch, accompanied by captain Olivinha, Rafael Mineiro, Vitor Faverani, and Matheus Leoni, as well as coach Gustavo De Conti. Back at the club, Hettsheimeir also had his first in-person encounter with the nation. The center, who won a State Championship, a Super 8 Cup, an NBB Championship, and a Champions League title with Mengão, spent the 20/21 season playing without spectators in the stadiums due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's crucial that our new athletes feel the warmth of the Flamengo fans, and there's no better place for that than the Maracanã. They had, of course, already attended games at the stadium, but today the field was also theirs. They were all handpicked because they embody our team and possess the spirit required to represent this emblem. The two stars are a responsibility that I'm sure they will carry with great respect and dedication," said Guilherme Kroll, Flamengo's vice president of Olympic Sports.

State champion last Sunday (02) for the 17th consecutive time - the 48th in its history - FlaBasquete debuts the new Manto on the court on October 15th, in the opening match of the NBB. The Mais Querido faces Minas, at Arena BH, at 18:15 pm. Next, they play against Corinthians and Pato Branco, away from home, to debut at Maracanãzinho on October 25th, against Fortaleza, at 20 pm. In addition to the national championship, Rubro-Negro also has the Champions League, the Libertadores of basketball, in search of a place in the World Cup, and the Super 8 Cup as a goal.