Rafael Mineiro praises the "contagious" Nation and reveals his fanatical red-black brother
Center celebrates his first NBB match for Mais Querido: "It's great to play for Flamengo"
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
Rafael Ferreira de Souza, known as Mineiro, has already played in seven editions of the Novo Basquete Brasil. But the eighth and current edition feels like a grand debut: it's his first for Flamengo, the four-time and current three-time consecutive champion of the tournament. Born in Uberaba, the 2,09m, 27-year-old center talks about the weight and satisfaction of defending the Sacred Mantle and even reveals that one of the most die-hard fans in the group is in his family.
When he won the gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto with the Brazilian national team, Mineiro already experienced the taste of victory alongside Flamengo's fans. Team Brazil included then-Flamengo player Vitor Benite, future Flamengo player Rafael Luz, as well as Olivinha, JP Batista, fitness coach Diego Falcão, and coach José Neto. Now, the center is seeking his fifth title with Orgulho da Nação, who are currently leading the NBB, unbeaten in ten matches.
"It's great to play for Flamengo, knowing its greatness, knowing that it's a team that's been champions so many times. There's a lot of responsibility in defending a jersey that means so much to the Red-Black Nation. We have the pressure from the fans, who show up to the games, who cheer, who don't stop singing and cheering for a minute. That's contagious. There's also the way the club treats its athletes; the importance is very similar to that of football," said the player. who arrived at Flamengo in October 2015 and, in 19 games, he has already scored 154 points for the club and averages four rebounds per game.
In addition to the support of more than 40 million fans, Mineiro also has the support of his family, who participated in the decision to come to Rubro-Negro from the beginning of negotiations.
"It's really good. Mainly because of my brother, who follows everything Flamengo. When we talk about Flamengo, most people think of a soccer player. But no, my brother is a true Flamengo fan. He even supports the guy who plays marbles (laughs). I decided everything with my family, who are my foundation for everything. I was talking to the team, with my agent, trying to decide what would be best, and I think the whole family was already rooting for me. And I'm so glad it was Flamengo. They were very happy with the news. They were by my side, they were really excited. It was really cool," he said.
Mineiro's brother and the Flamengo fans of FlaBasquete are invited to cheer on the Pride of the Nation in the team's two home games this week, against Basquete Cearense (17) and Vitória-BA (20), at the Tijuca Tênis Clube. The athletes are preparing in Gávea to go in search of more victories. Click here to see the photo gallery of today's workout.. The tickets are on sale online and will be sold on match day, in the gym, from 2 hours before the game.
The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo adult basketball team relies on direct funding from its sponsors – SKY, Estácio and Peugeot – in addition to investments from Tim via the State Sports Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (ICMS).
When he won the gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto with the Brazilian national team, Mineiro already experienced the taste of victory alongside Flamengo's fans. Team Brazil included then-Flamengo player Vitor Benite, future Flamengo player Rafael Luz, as well as Olivinha, JP Batista, fitness coach Diego Falcão, and coach José Neto. Now, the center is seeking his fifth title with Orgulho da Nação, who are currently leading the NBB, unbeaten in ten matches.
"It's great to play for Flamengo, knowing its greatness, knowing that it's a team that's been champions so many times. There's a lot of responsibility in defending a jersey that means so much to the Red-Black Nation. We have the pressure from the fans, who show up to the games, who cheer, who don't stop singing and cheering for a minute. That's contagious. There's also the way the club treats its athletes; the importance is very similar to that of football," said the player. who arrived at Flamengo in October 2015 and, in 19 games, he has already scored 154 points for the club and averages four rebounds per game.
In addition to the support of more than 40 million fans, Mineiro also has the support of his family, who participated in the decision to come to Rubro-Negro from the beginning of negotiations."It's really good. Mainly because of my brother, who follows everything Flamengo. When we talk about Flamengo, most people think of a soccer player. But no, my brother is a true Flamengo fan. He even supports the guy who plays marbles (laughs). I decided everything with my family, who are my foundation for everything. I was talking to the team, with my agent, trying to decide what would be best, and I think the whole family was already rooting for me. And I'm so glad it was Flamengo. They were very happy with the news. They were by my side, they were really excited. It was really cool," he said.
Mineiro's brother and the Flamengo fans of FlaBasquete are invited to cheer on the Pride of the Nation in the team's two home games this week, against Basquete Cearense (17) and Vitória-BA (20), at the Tijuca Tênis Clube. The athletes are preparing in Gávea to go in search of more victories. Click here to see the photo gallery of today's workout.. The tickets are on sale online and will be sold on match day, in the gym, from 2 hours before the game.
The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo adult basketball team relies on direct funding from its sponsors – SKY, Estácio and Peugeot – in addition to investments from Tim via the State Sports Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (ICMS).