Former full-back Leandro is immortalized with a bust at the Club's headquarters
Quite emotional, the red-black idol unveiled his bronze sculpted image that will remain in Gávea
By Cesar Nogueira - in
A more than deserved tribute. Leandro, the right-back who won the Interclub World Cup with Flamengo in 1981 and is one of the best players in the club's history, had his bust unveiled in the entrance hall of the Gávea club headquarters this Saturday (23). The event was attended by president Rodolfo Landim, general and legal vice president Rodrigo Dunshee, other vice presidents, prominent benefactors, former athletes, members, and hundreds of fans. It is worth noting that the bust was created by sculptor Eduardo Santos and conceived by the members of Fla-Nação.
Quite emotional, Leandro, who brought all his children, wife and other family members to the event, recalled his arrival as a player at Gávea, and extolled the pride of having worn only the red and black shirt in his victorious career.
"It's a great honor to be honored in this way. I always feel a great energy and strength when I come here to the club. Flamengo is everything in my life. I arrived here in 1976, and I'm proud to say that the only shirt I've worn in my entire career was with the Manto Sagrado," he said.
When unveiling the bronze bust, the former Flamengo full-back thanked the board and Fla-Nação for the historic Saturday at the club, which also marked the launch of the new Flamengo uniform for the 2019 season.
"I just have to thank the board, council and Fla-Nação who are always honoring the former players. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Flamengo!" said Leandro, who wore the new Sacred Mantle, with the number 2 on the back and his name.
Leandro's History:
Full name: José Leandro de Souza Ferreira
Date of Birth: March 17, 1959
Location: Cabo Frio (RJ)
Period at CRF: 1978 to 1990
Position: Right-back and Center-back
Games: 418
Goals: 14
Titles:
Club World Cup (1981), Copa Libertadores (1981), Brazilian Championship (1982, 1983 and 1987), Carioca Championship (1978, 1979-1st, 1979-2nd, 1981 and 1986), Guanabara Cup (1978, 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1988), Rio Cup (1978, 1983, 1985 and 1986), 1st round of the 1st Carioca Championship of 1979, 2nd round of the 1st and 2nd Carioca Championship of 1979, 3rd round of the Carioca Championship (1979-2nd, 1981 and 1987), Punta del Este International Tournament (1981), Naples International Tournament (1981), Trophy Naranja (1986), Gabon International Tournament (1987), Kirin Cup (1988) and Colombino Tournament (1988)
Curiosities:
1 - Considered the best right-back in Flamengo's history
2 - He played in the 1982 World Cup, when he was a CRF player, and he only didn't go to the 1986 World Cup because he didn't want to.
3 - Captain of Flamengo in winning the 1986 state title.
4 - He is the 15th most-played player in the history of CRF.
5 - Flamengo was the only club Leandro played for throughout his career.
6 - He retired from playing in 1990, when he was just 31 years old, due to knee problems. His bow legs ultimately hindered his career. Leandro had frequent knee injuries and, at the age of 24, in 1983, developed severe osteoarthritis.
7 - Due to knee problems, he began playing as a defender in 1984, when Jorginho was signed. As a defender, he won the Brazilian Championship in 1987 and the Rio de Janeiro Championship in 1986.
8 - He won the Bola de Prata award from Placar magazine in 1982 as the best right-back in the Brasileirão and in 1985 as the best defender.
9 - His nickname, among the players, was Peixe-Frito.
10 - In addition to being immortalized by the Nation as one of the best players in the club's history, he is also idolized for his love of CRF.
11 - Intelligent, technical, skillful, he defended and attacked with the same efficiency.
12 - His most important goals for Flamengo were 2: in the 1983 Brasileirão final, in the 3-0 victory over Santos, when he scored the second goal, and in the Triangular Final of the 1985 Campeonato Carioca, when he tied the match against Fluminense in the last minute, which ended 1-1. It was the first round of the triangular. If Flamengo lost, they would be practically eliminated from the championship.
13 - He played in the 1981 Copa Libertadores and Carioca finals, playing as a midfielder. In the Copa Libertadores final, he replaced Lico, and in the Carioca final, he replaced Tita. Nei Dias played as a substitute at right back in both matches.