On an "unforgettable day," juniors become lookalikes
Eller, Da Silva and Rodrigo Mendes return to Fla in professional games with the kids
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
While Adriano, Vagner Love, and company were off, Gávea was taken over by the "Generic Empire." Fabiano Eller, Everton Silva, Da Silva, and even a Flamengo title-winning goal scorer, Rodrigo Mendes. You, fan, probably don't understand a thing, right? Well, take a look at the main photo in the article and the additional images, scrolling down to the bottom of the page. Are you starting to get the idea?
On Thursday afternoon (April 18.04), the professional players who did not travel to Santiago, where Flamengo played against Universidad Católica on Wednesday (April 17.04), trained at the club's headquarters with athletes from the youth team. Among them were defender Henrique, midfielders Ricardinho, Eliabe, and forward Juninho. The more experienced players, such as David, Leo Medeiros, Fernando, and Adriano, welcomed their new teammates and have already given the youngsters nicknames.
The youth players ended up becoming known as look-alikes of already famous Rio de Janeiro football players. Henrique became Fabiano Eller, Ricardinho took on the role of a younger Everton Silva, Juninho became the hero of the 1999 Rio de Janeiro title, Rodrigo Mendes, and Eliabe was nicknamed Da Silva, a defensive midfielder who played for Flamengo in 2005. But none of them minded. On the contrary, they all enjoyed the jokes and training with the Emperor.
"These guys are awesome. But it's great to be welcomed like this. Everyone jokes around, everyone has fun, and they always respect each other. Having the opportunity to train with them is really important. Adriano is one of the best players in the world, and training alongside him is amazing. These are unforgettable days," said Juninho, a forward who came through the club's youth ranks.
David, known for his good humor, explained the jokes and assured that this joy only helps a young person adapt to a professional team.
"I've been through this, and I try to pass on to them the little experience I have. Everywhere I've played, I've always been well received, and that counts for a lot. We joke around, have fun, and it helps them get closer to the group too. They're kids who want to show off their work, and we'll help them with whatever they need," he said.
But does it really seem like it?
Henrique has been "suffering" from the jokes for some time now. The young defender, who started in the friendly against Brasília FC last month, has been training frequently with the senior team, and Vinícius Pacheco, another of the most playful, was quick to give him a nickname.
"It was Pacheco who started calling me Fabiano Eller. They say I look alike physically, in the way I walk... I think it's funny," said the number 48.
Juninho, who became Rodrigo Mendes, even admits a possible resemblance: "Look, if they said it, it must look similar, right (laughs)?". Ricardinho, known as Everton Silva, believes that only the haircut is similar: "I don't think there's much to do with it (laughs). Just the haircut a little bit."
And you, internet user, what did you think of Mengão's "Empire of Generics"? Do they look alike or not? Give your opinion and join in the fun. If you know a lookalike of a Flamengo athlete, send a photo to Flamengo's official Twitter profile (@CR_Flamengo).
On Thursday afternoon (April 18.04), the professional players who did not travel to Santiago, where Flamengo played against Universidad Católica on Wednesday (April 17.04), trained at the club's headquarters with athletes from the youth team. Among them were defender Henrique, midfielders Ricardinho, Eliabe, and forward Juninho. The more experienced players, such as David, Leo Medeiros, Fernando, and Adriano, welcomed their new teammates and have already given the youngsters nicknames.
The youth players ended up becoming known as look-alikes of already famous Rio de Janeiro football players. Henrique became Fabiano Eller, Ricardinho took on the role of a younger Everton Silva, Juninho became the hero of the 1999 Rio de Janeiro title, Rodrigo Mendes, and Eliabe was nicknamed Da Silva, a defensive midfielder who played for Flamengo in 2005. But none of them minded. On the contrary, they all enjoyed the jokes and training with the Emperor.
"These guys are awesome. But it's great to be welcomed like this. Everyone jokes around, everyone has fun, and they always respect each other. Having the opportunity to train with them is really important. Adriano is one of the best players in the world, and training alongside him is amazing. These are unforgettable days," said Juninho, a forward who came through the club's youth ranks.
David, known for his good humor, explained the jokes and assured that this joy only helps a young person adapt to a professional team.
"I've been through this, and I try to pass on to them the little experience I have. Everywhere I've played, I've always been well received, and that counts for a lot. We joke around, have fun, and it helps them get closer to the group too. They're kids who want to show off their work, and we'll help them with whatever they need," he said.
But does it really seem like it?
Henrique has been "suffering" from the jokes for some time now. The young defender, who started in the friendly against Brasília FC last month, has been training frequently with the senior team, and Vinícius Pacheco, another of the most playful, was quick to give him a nickname.
"It was Pacheco who started calling me Fabiano Eller. They say I look alike physically, in the way I walk... I think it's funny," said the number 48.
Juninho, who became Rodrigo Mendes, even admits a possible resemblance: "Look, if they said it, it must look similar, right (laughs)?". Ricardinho, known as Everton Silva, believes that only the haircut is similar: "I don't think there's much to do with it (laughs). Just the haircut a little bit."
And you, internet user, what did you think of Mengão's "Empire of Generics"? Do they look alike or not? Give your opinion and join in the fun. If you know a lookalike of a Flamengo athlete, send a photo to Flamengo's official Twitter profile (@CR_Flamengo).