Flamengo captain realizes two dreams in one flight
Cesar Figueiral brought his shirts and a 'friend's' flag for the group to autograph
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
In Brazil's first away game, held last week in Caracas, Flamengo was treated very well by the entire crew on a chartered flight, especially by a flight attendant, Jorge Nascimento, a sick Flamengo fan. This Wednesday, the same thing happened again, except the fan was the flight's captain.
Cesar Figueiral, a 16-year captain, experienced his most emotional experience today. Accustomed to turbulence and storms, he didn't feel the aircraft shake on this trip from Porto Alegre to Santiago. What truly shook was his chest, with emotion.
"I remember well one time when I took the entire Formula 1 team. All the drivers were there. There were a lot of famous people. However, nothing compares to this. In 16 years as a captain, I had never had the opportunity to take my favorite team anywhere. Today, I realized that dream," said Cesar, who brought many shirts on board to get autographs.
"When I found out I was going to take the Flamengo delegation, I immediately went to an official store and bought shirts for everyone. My son, my nephew... Everyone will have a souvenir of this wonderful day," said the commander.
Cesar also revealed a curious fact. The saleswoman who helped him was curious to know what he would do with so many shirts. When he explained that he would be the captain of the flight taking Flamengo to Chile this Wednesday, he received a special request.
"The saleswoman asked me if I would take one of her flags for Adriano to sign. She said she would buy it with her own money and give it to me. It would be up to me to bring back the signed 'gift.' I asked her if, even without knowing me, she trusted me. Her answer was the best of all: 'It would be worth taking the risk.' I think this represents what it means to be a Flamengo fan," revealed the captain, who brought the flag on board and promised to give it to the saleswoman-fan.
"I'm here with the flag and I'm going to make the girl's dream come true. I even promise to send a photo of her when I deliver her 'present,'" said Cesar, who will be present at Wednesday's match.
"To complete this wonderful day, only a victory against the Chileans. And best of all, I will be there to, God willing, celebrate another victory," he concluded.
Cesar Figueiral, a 16-year captain, experienced his most emotional experience today. Accustomed to turbulence and storms, he didn't feel the aircraft shake on this trip from Porto Alegre to Santiago. What truly shook was his chest, with emotion.
"I remember well one time when I took the entire Formula 1 team. All the drivers were there. There were a lot of famous people. However, nothing compares to this. In 16 years as a captain, I had never had the opportunity to take my favorite team anywhere. Today, I realized that dream," said Cesar, who brought many shirts on board to get autographs.
"When I found out I was going to take the Flamengo delegation, I immediately went to an official store and bought shirts for everyone. My son, my nephew... Everyone will have a souvenir of this wonderful day," said the commander.
Cesar also revealed a curious fact. The saleswoman who helped him was curious to know what he would do with so many shirts. When he explained that he would be the captain of the flight taking Flamengo to Chile this Wednesday, he received a special request.
"The saleswoman asked me if I would take one of her flags for Adriano to sign. She said she would buy it with her own money and give it to me. It would be up to me to bring back the signed 'gift.' I asked her if, even without knowing me, she trusted me. Her answer was the best of all: 'It would be worth taking the risk.' I think this represents what it means to be a Flamengo fan," revealed the captain, who brought the flag on board and promised to give it to the saleswoman-fan.
"I'm here with the flag and I'm going to make the girl's dream come true. I even promise to send a photo of her when I deliver her 'present,'" said Cesar, who will be present at Wednesday's match.
"To complete this wonderful day, only a victory against the Chileans. And best of all, I will be there to, God willing, celebrate another victory," he concluded.