Lucas Paquetá, a product of the club’s youth academy, reclaims the iconic Flamengo No. 11 jersey following Everton Cebolinha’s exit, honoring a number worn by legends of Rubro-Negro football.
The Flamengo squad’s dynamics have shifted with the official announcement of the new wearer of the No. 11 jersey. After Everton Cebolinha’s transfer to Santos, the number, carrying significant historical weight for the club, was vacant for a short period.
The confirmation arrived this Saturday (12), via social media, revealing that Lucas Paquetá will be the next player to don the legendary jersey, which has previously been worn by icons such as Romário.
Paquetá’s selection to take over the revered number resonates with his own journey at the club. The player, developed in the Rubro-Negro’s youth system, had previously worn the No. 11 early in his career, before his transfer to Milan, in Italy.
This return to the number that established him as a young talent raises the fans’ expectations.
The Legacy of the No. 11 Jersey
Flamengo’s No. 11 jersey is a symbol of glory and responsibility. Among the notable names who immortalized it is Romário, one of Flamengo’s all-time top scorers with 204 goals.
Other distinguished players include Renato Abreu, who was instrumental in the 2006 Copa do Brasil victory, and Lico, a member of the team that won the world championship in 1981.
In the 1987 Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian Championship), Zinho, who would later become a four-time World Cup winner with the Brazil national team, also wore the number.
More recently, Vitinho wore the No. 11 during the campaigns that led to the Libertadores titles in 2019 and 2022, and Everton Cebolinha used it in last year’s fourth league title conquest.
Each player, in their own way, left their mark, elevating the jersey’s status.
Paquetá’s Choice and the M360 Team’s Perspective
Lucas Paquetá’s assumption of the No. 11 jersey symbolizes not just a number, but the weight of history and the anticipation of a new chapter of success. The player’s connection to the club, since his formative years, gives special meaning to his choice.
A member of the M360 Team commented:
The Flamengo No. 11 jersey is very weighty and carries a lot of history. When we talk about the No. 11, Romário immediately comes to mind, who not only made history with this jersey for Mengão but also shined for the Brazil national team in it. It’s a very big responsibility for whoever wears it.
The expectation is that Paquetá will regain the excellent form he displayed during his previous stint at the club.
Another editor from the M360 Team added:
Paquetá understands the responsibility of wearing this jersey, as he’s known what Flamengo means since he was a child. May he manage to recover the good football he showed when he last wore the No. 11, back in 2018, but with a difference: may titles come along this time.
Flamengo’s decision to give the No. 11 jersey to Lucas Paquetá reflects the club’s confidence in one of its most promising talents.
With Cebolinha’s departure, the stage is set for Paquetá to not only honor the jersey’s rich history but also to lead the Rubro-Negro in their pursuit of new titles, reinforcing his connection with the fanbase and solidifying his legacy at Mais Querido (The Most Beloved).
M360 Team
