Fabio Marcelo Teixeira de Souza, coordinator of Flamengo's physical therapy department, is a new member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Arts, History, and Literature (ABRASCI). The 57-year-old physical therapist will occupy chair 122, whose patron is Paulo de Tarso Dutra, a former Brazilian lawyer and politician.

Fábio Marcelo received the Cultural Merit necklace and the ABRASCI uniform in a ceremony held at the Guanabara Palace.

"This moment represents the certainty that everything I've done in my professional life has been worthwhile. May this recognition inspire all the academics and physical therapists who believe in and admire my work," said Fábio Marcelo, who was accompanied by his wife, Andréa Souza, his daughter, Maria Fernanda, and his mother-in-law, Solange Familiar.

Having worked in soccer for 33 years, the physiotherapist is in his third stint at Flamengo. He also worked for Kashima Antlers in Japan, brought there by Zico. Fábio Marcelo was the first physiotherapist to work in Japanese soccer. 

In addition to Flamengo and Kashima Antlers, Fábio Marcelo also worked at Fluminense, Vasco, Boavista and Nagoya Grampus, another team from Japan.