Leandro visits Gávea and praises Leo Moura
Golden generation full-back approves of current captain and Zico's management of football
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - inRight-back Leonardo Moura's remarkable form has even impressed the greatest player at his position in the history of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. The Flamengo captain, one of the club's most consistent players since arriving at Gávea in 2005, is close to completing his 300th game for the Sacred Mantle and has Leandro's approval. The former player, who won, among other titles, the Libertadores and the 1981 World Cup, was at Flamengo's headquarters this Friday (September 23.09) and praised the current owner of the number 2 jersey.
\"Leo has been doing very well for a long time. He's a great player, and if Flamengo had 11 of his players, they'd be in the top positions. He's a very high-quality full-back. I'm very happy he's doing well, and I think his identification with the club is important. It's important for a player to not only play for the club, but also have that desire to make a mark. He's already playing his 300th game for Flamengo, with many titles, and that's great to see," he said.
\Back in the place where he made his name in football, Leandro also reunited with former teammates. Goalkeeper coach Cantareli and executive director Zico played with Leandro in the 80s and were part of the club's Golden Generation.
\"It's always a pleasure for me to come back here. The memories start to come flooding back, seeing this field, the awning here... Even more so now with some of my former teammates here, like Zico and Cantareli, and the staff themselves... I'm very happy," said Peixe Frito, who praised Zico's work leading Flamengo's football operations.
"Zico is an example. Those who speak ill of him don't know that nobody in the world loves Flamengo more than he does. They may love it equally, but not more than him. Everything he does is for the good of the club, and we have to support him completely. I'm sure he'll put the club back on top," he observed.
A product of Flamengo's youth academy, Leandro believes it's crucial for the club to continue investing in order to uphold its traditional motto, "Flamengo produces stars at home."
"This investment in the youth system is very important. In the 81 team, for example, we had seven players who came up through the ranks here. I think it's fundamental that the club invests in this, in the Training Center, and starts developing players here again," he concluded.
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