Arão is moved by the request from the victims' families: 'I will carry this with me for the rest of my life'
Shirt 5 was one of Jorge Eduardo's idols and also Rykelmo Viana's.
By Flamengo Communication - in
The red-and-black squad finished preparing for the classic against Fluminense on Wednesday morning (13) and is ready for the Guanabara Cup semifinal. The players carried out activities in the gym and all the uniforms had a mourning ribbon in memory of the boys involved in the tragedy. Before training, Willian Arão gave a press conference and spoke about the feeling of being the idol of Jorge Eduardo and Rykelmo Viana.
"I left home today saying I wouldn't cry. ... When I heard about Jorge's mother's proposal, I was moved, along with my family. Now I've learned that Rykelmo's mother proposed too. I feel honored to know I had a positive influence, even though I made mistakes. They wanted to be like me. For me, it's very powerful. I wrote a text to Jorge's mother. I won't carry him on my back just for tomorrow's game. I'll carry him for the rest of my life," said the number 5, who will wear the jersey with the names of the Fla-Flu boys.
The midfielder stated that now is the time for everyone to be united to face this difficult time and guaranteed that the squad will do everything to honor the memory of the ten boys who lost their lives.
"I think we have to help each other. Maybe I feel it more here at the training center, others at home, and even in the embrace with my son. We have to talk and support each other. The pain won't go away, it won't go away, but we'll join forces to move forward. The conversation with Abel was important, and we'll honor these boys' dreams."
"There's no magic formula, nor anything we can do to forget or overcome all of this. We'll have to go through each day, waking up, coming to work, and honoring these boys. I don't believe this pain will lessen or disappear. Over time, we'll try to find the strength to move forward. Abel gave us a word on Saturday, and it was very important. We'll carry on, encouraging each other," he concluded.
A photo of Jorge Eduardo with Willian Arão is circulating on social media and the number 5 revealed what it was like to spend time with the boys at Ninho do Urubu.
"This photo was taken in 2016. It was my freshman year, and I'd be lying if I said I remember everything. The daily contact with the boys was wonderful; you could see the sparkle in their eyes. They would get goosebumps and tremble just by having contact with us. Whether it was taking a photo or exchanging a few words. The fact that I could, even with my flaws, inspire these boys is incredibly powerful and moving. He (Jorge) was definitely one of the boys whose eyes sparkled. I saw the photo and was even more moved. Now, knowing that I was an idol to him and that I certainly had an influence on his life is an honor."
Other excerpts from Willian Arão's conversation with the pressNSA
Emotional charge for the classic
It's going to be very difficult for me; it won't be just any game. It's no longer a classic, and I have no words to describe what it's going to be like. We know there will be many tributes and beautiful things will be done for them. We have a game ahead of us, and we'll honor everything they did when they wore the Flamengo jersey. I'll carry the names of two of them with me, and their dream too, in a packed Maracanã. I'll give my all, as I always have. I'll honor their dream.
Good performances against Fluminense
I've scored four or five goals against Fluminense. I like scoring against them. I'm happy to be able to contribute, whether with goals or with a good performance. I'm happier with a win than with just one goal.