Center forwards in world football typically prefer to wear the number 9 jersey. But many end up opting for another number, considering there may already be a player wearing that number on the roster. This is the case with Val Baiano. Since Vagner Love already wore number 9 when he arrived at Flamengo, the striker opted for number 18, still unaware that it holds fond memories for Flamengo fans.

The number 18 jersey is usually the second choice for attackers. Perhaps because the sum of its numbers, 1 and 8, equals 9. Chilean Zamorano, at Inter Milan, even wore it on one of his uniforms. a "+" symbol between the "1" and the "8" of his shirt, since the owner of the 9 was Ronaldo. For Val Baiano, the number brings back good memories.

"Of course, the striker's preference is the number 9 shirt, but I arrived here with Vagner Love wearing this number and, therefore, I chose the number 18, which I also wore in 2006, at CRB, where I had a good time. I hope it bears good fruit here at Flamengo too," he said.

The last successful owner of this number for Flamengo was another striker, also from Bahia: Obina. The 2006 Copa do Brasil champion and three-time Rio de Janeiro champion (2007 to 2009), he is the club's top scorer in the 2000s, with 47 goals. These numbers surprised and excited Val Baiano.

"Look, anything that helps is good, right? I'm happy to know that Obina was successful with this number and I hope to do very well here too, scoring goals, winning titles and bringing a lot of joy to the red-black fans."

Having signed from Monterrey in Mexico, Val Baiano will only be able to make his Flamengo debut in August. Until then, the striker has been doing a lot of physical work to be in the best physical condition to start your career with the red and black shirt on the right foot.

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