Leandrinho is officially presented in Gávea
NBA player receives the Sacred Mantle from President Patrícia Amorim
By press office - in
Flamengo's new basketball signing, star Leandrinho Barbosa, from the Toronto Raptors, of the NBA, was presented this Friday morning (19.08), in a press conference at the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium, in Gávea. The wing/point guard received from the hands of the Club's president, Patrícia Amorim, the number 28 jersey, which he will wear while at the club.
Flamengo took advantage of the strike in the American Basketball League, declared in July, to sign the player until December. During the "lockout" period, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) allows players to play for other teams, on the condition that they return to their respective teams at the end of the strike.
Also present at the press conference were the club's vice president of Olympic sports, Cristina Callou, basketball director Arnaldo Szpiro, and assistant coach João Batista. Coach Gonzalo Garcia, Julio Lamas's assistant with the Argentine national team, is with the team as they prepare for the Pre-Olympic tournament in Mar del Plata.
"Today is a very special day, as we welcome another star to our constellation. A star with a very special glow. It all started as a joke. I met Leandrinho at some NBB games and thought: a club that brought Marcelinho, Cesar Cielo, Ronaldinho, why can't they bring Leandrinho too? The joke became a very special desire, along with the need to invest more in this basketball season. Now he's here, a dream come true. Leandrinho arrives to add to a wonderful group we have," said president Patrícia Amorim, greeting the star: "Leandrinho, feel that Flamengo is your home, make good use of the Sacred Mantle. You will certainly feel the weight of this jersey and the weight of being Flamengo," she added.
Moved, the player thanked the reception:
"I'd like to thank Flamengo so much for the opportunity. It all started as a flirtation. I've always had a strong desire to play for my country, and this is a very special moment for me. It's a team where every athlete has a strong desire to play, and that only makes me happier to be here," said Leandrinho.
Check out the main excerpts from the press conference:
Arrival at Flamengo
"This opportunity that Flamengo gave me was great. I'm very happy to be able to return to Brazil after so long, and I'm here to help, learn, and have fun. Wearing the red and black jersey is a source of pride for any athlete, as is being part of a club that has so many stars."
Contract vs. Strike in the NBA
"My contract states that all players who are out must return to their clubs as soon as the strike ends. But from what I've heard, the situation is quite complicated. Several players have already signed contracts with other teams, and I think the NBA will take a while to return. My focus now is to return to the court in good shape and help Flamengo in any way possible."
Back to Brazil
"It's been 10 years since I spent Christmas and New Year's with my family, and I miss my country so much. Thank God everything worked out. Living abroad is great; you get to know new cultures and new places, but being here is priceless."
Selection
"I've been following the national team and I think there was a breakdown in communication between us. I'm not in good shape and it wouldn't be fair to take the place of someone who's been fighting for it. The national team is a very serious matter and it's always an honor to wear the green and yellow jersey, every athlete's dream. I dream of representing the national team, of playing in the Olympics. I'll always want to be part of the Brazilian national team, but right now my mind is on Flamengo."
Engenhao
"I know Ronaldinho very well and he really likes basketball, we have a great relationship. Yesterday (18/08), at Engenhão (Leandrinho watched the match between Flamengo and Atlético-GO), Flamengo had the misfortune of losing, but what really caught my attention was the fans who didn't stop singing and cheering. This inspired me a lot to bring a lot of things to Flamengo."
Issue 28
"This number has meaning for me. It's my age, and it's also a very important date for my family. My mother really liked this number, and I dedicate this moment to her."
Flamengo took advantage of the strike in the American Basketball League, declared in July, to sign the player until December. During the "lockout" period, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) allows players to play for other teams, on the condition that they return to their respective teams at the end of the strike.
Also present at the press conference were the club's vice president of Olympic sports, Cristina Callou, basketball director Arnaldo Szpiro, and assistant coach João Batista. Coach Gonzalo Garcia, Julio Lamas's assistant with the Argentine national team, is with the team as they prepare for the Pre-Olympic tournament in Mar del Plata.
"Today is a very special day, as we welcome another star to our constellation. A star with a very special glow. It all started as a joke. I met Leandrinho at some NBB games and thought: a club that brought Marcelinho, Cesar Cielo, Ronaldinho, why can't they bring Leandrinho too? The joke became a very special desire, along with the need to invest more in this basketball season. Now he's here, a dream come true. Leandrinho arrives to add to a wonderful group we have," said president Patrícia Amorim, greeting the star: "Leandrinho, feel that Flamengo is your home, make good use of the Sacred Mantle. You will certainly feel the weight of this jersey and the weight of being Flamengo," she added.
Moved, the player thanked the reception:
"I'd like to thank Flamengo so much for the opportunity. It all started as a flirtation. I've always had a strong desire to play for my country, and this is a very special moment for me. It's a team where every athlete has a strong desire to play, and that only makes me happier to be here," said Leandrinho.
Check out the main excerpts from the press conference:
Arrival at Flamengo
"This opportunity that Flamengo gave me was great. I'm very happy to be able to return to Brazil after so long, and I'm here to help, learn, and have fun. Wearing the red and black jersey is a source of pride for any athlete, as is being part of a club that has so many stars."
Contract vs. Strike in the NBA
"My contract states that all players who are out must return to their clubs as soon as the strike ends. But from what I've heard, the situation is quite complicated. Several players have already signed contracts with other teams, and I think the NBA will take a while to return. My focus now is to return to the court in good shape and help Flamengo in any way possible."
Back to Brazil
"It's been 10 years since I spent Christmas and New Year's with my family, and I miss my country so much. Thank God everything worked out. Living abroad is great; you get to know new cultures and new places, but being here is priceless."
Selection
"I've been following the national team and I think there was a breakdown in communication between us. I'm not in good shape and it wouldn't be fair to take the place of someone who's been fighting for it. The national team is a very serious matter and it's always an honor to wear the green and yellow jersey, every athlete's dream. I dream of representing the national team, of playing in the Olympics. I'll always want to be part of the Brazilian national team, but right now my mind is on Flamengo."
Engenhao
"I know Ronaldinho very well and he really likes basketball, we have a great relationship. Yesterday (18/08), at Engenhão (Leandrinho watched the match between Flamengo and Atlético-GO), Flamengo had the misfortune of losing, but what really caught my attention was the fans who didn't stop singing and cheering. This inspired me a lot to bring a lot of things to Flamengo."
Issue 28
"This number has meaning for me. It's my age, and it's also a very important date for my family. My mother really liked this number, and I dedicate this moment to her."