A few days before Mother's Day, more precisely last Thursday (7), the athletes in the under-10 category and their respective mothers had a different experience. Always holding hands, as per the established rule, they played a football match. The event, produced by the human development department of Flamengo's youth categories, was held on field 8 of the George Helal Training Center.

Nothing is better for mothers and children than spending Mother's Day together. Flamengo decided to honor mothers and bring them and their children together, literally, to play a football match, with one "small" detail: holding hands. Women were the vast majority on both teams, which included one or two family members or Flamengo staff to complete the squad, as there were some forced absences.

Present at the event, the youth football director, Alfredo Almeida, watched the match closely and shared in the joy and excitement of mothers and children in a game marked by laughter and unconditional unity.

"First of all, I want to thank all the mothers for being here. My commitment to you is to see the happiness of your children. I don't know if they will become soccer players or professional footballers, but their smiles are my commitment. This action is produced by the human development department and aims to make the athletes happy. Their happiness is non-negotiable. It is also non-negotiable that they do not feel pressure to become soccer players and continue to pursue their dream," the manager assured.

The routine of the human development department, which provides ongoing care to athletes in all areas, was broken by a very creative initiative. The department coordinator, Patricia Negreiros, emphasized the importance of offering various aspects outside of the daily routine, in a light and fun way. 

"Family Play Together is an event we try to organize every year. We invite families to play with the boys, and since the date is very close to Mother's Day, we invited the women, who are the majority on the playing field. The idea is that they, who already run around all day for their children, literally run with the boys. Mothers are used to the dynamics of home, of daily life, of giving orders. Here in this activity it's different," she says, highlighting the exchanges of "command":

"They are in their environment and they are the ones giving the orders, in a role reversal. So, we can also see how the mothers feel having to stop to listen to their children and do this practice. And the boys too. They are the ones in charge and can tell their mothers what to do. The goal is to bring them together and congratulate these wonderful women. Mothers, mothers of football, which is even more difficult. That's why we're here on this sunny day, sweaty, running around," she concludes.