Ronaldinho's signing has repercussions within the Flamengo squad.
Fernando tells a story about being a fan of the star player, Maldo remembers when he used to mark him, and Felipe praises Rio de Janeiro football.
By Direct from Londrina (PR) - From the official website team - in
Ronaldinho's arrival at Flamengo is impactful. One of the greatest players in the history of Brazilian football, the star has signed with the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) and, as could not be otherwise, his signing is the main topic of conversation at Flamengo. Even among the players. The opinion is unanimous: signing the player is fundamental. The reasons for this are numerous.
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For goalkeeper Felipe, for example, the arrival of the star player is good not only for Flamengo, but for football in Rio de Janeiro and even Brazilian football in general.
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"It will be very good for Rio de Janeiro football and for Brazilian football, but especially for us at Flamengo. We are going to form a strong group to compete for the titles in all the championships we will be playing in. The board is making an effort, the fans are anxious, which is normal, but everything was done the right way. We will enter the Carioca Championship, the Copa do Brasil, the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Sudamericana strong," said the goalkeeper, who explains how different it is to play alongside a great star.
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"Living with above-average athletes is easier for us. Everyone goes after them, and we come out on the other side. I spent two years with Ronaldo at Corinthians, and it was really different. You know that the guy takes responsibility, the opponents worry more, and that even makes the group itself more relaxed," he observed.
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Midfielder Fernando has a history of being a fan of Ronaldinho. In 2001, when the playmaker was still playing for PSG in France, the Flamengo midfielder met him at an airport and asked to take a picture. Now, he will have the chance to play alongside him.
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"I went with my brother to the airport (Carlos Alberto, now at Vasco), because he was going to report to the Brazilian national team, and I ran into Ronaldinho arriving in Rio on vacation. I went over and took a picture with him," he said.
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\ Good headache – With Ronaldinho, coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo will have another good option to assemble the Flamengo team. Goalkeeper Felipe leaves the responsibility to the coach, but says what the spirit of the group should be: unity.
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"It's a problem for Luxemburgo, but it's important for everyone to know that he's a great player who's arriving. Flamengo will be the one to benefit from this. Whoever doesn't play needs to know that only 11 play, but that everyone needs to be prepared," he explained.
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Meanwhile, experienced midfielder Maldonado, who has faced Ronaldinho numerous times, is grateful to now have him on his side on the field.
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"I've faced many players, I don't know if he was the most difficult to mark, but he's certainly a different kind of player; above average. I've been playing against Ronaldinho since the Chilean under-17 team, we've always met on the field. Now it's better, because he's on this side, right? Marking him isn't easy," he concluded.
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Ronaldinho has signed a contract with Flamengo until 2014. Ronaldinho arrives at Flamengo after spending nine seasons in Europe. On the continent, the star wore the shirts of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Milan. At all three clubs, he won many titles, including the UEFA Champions League in 2006. Individually, he won the award for best player in the world twice, in 2005 and 2006.
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For goalkeeper Felipe, for example, the arrival of the star player is good not only for Flamengo, but for football in Rio de Janeiro and even Brazilian football in general.
\
"It will be very good for Rio de Janeiro football and for Brazilian football, but especially for us at Flamengo. We are going to form a strong group to compete for the titles in all the championships we will be playing in. The board is making an effort, the fans are anxious, which is normal, but everything was done the right way. We will enter the Carioca Championship, the Copa do Brasil, the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Sudamericana strong," said the goalkeeper, who explains how different it is to play alongside a great star.
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"Living with above-average athletes is easier for us. Everyone goes after them, and we come out on the other side. I spent two years with Ronaldo at Corinthians, and it was really different. You know that the guy takes responsibility, the opponents worry more, and that even makes the group itself more relaxed," he observed.
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Midfielder Fernando has a history of being a fan of Ronaldinho. In 2001, when the playmaker was still playing for PSG in France, the Flamengo midfielder met him at an airport and asked to take a picture. Now, he will have the chance to play alongside him.
\
"I went with my brother to the airport (Carlos Alberto, now at Vasco), because he was going to report to the Brazilian national team, and I ran into Ronaldinho arriving in Rio on vacation. I went over and took a picture with him," he said.
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\ Good headache – With Ronaldinho, coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo will have another good option to assemble the Flamengo team. Goalkeeper Felipe leaves the responsibility to the coach, but says what the spirit of the group should be: unity.
\
"It's a problem for Luxemburgo, but it's important for everyone to know that he's a great player who's arriving. Flamengo will be the one to benefit from this. Whoever doesn't play needs to know that only 11 play, but that everyone needs to be prepared," he explained.
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Meanwhile, experienced midfielder Maldonado, who has faced Ronaldinho numerous times, is grateful to now have him on his side on the field.
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"I've faced many players, I don't know if he was the most difficult to mark, but he's certainly a different kind of player; above average. I've been playing against Ronaldinho since the Chilean under-17 team, we've always met on the field. Now it's better, because he's on this side, right? Marking him isn't easy," he concluded.
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Ronaldinho has signed a contract with Flamengo until 2014. Ronaldinho arrives at Flamengo after spending nine seasons in Europe. On the continent, the star wore the shirts of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Milan. At all three clubs, he won many titles, including the UEFA Champions League in 2006. Individually, he won the award for best player in the world twice, in 2005 and 2006.
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