Neymar declares his support for Flamengo while attending an NFL event at the Maracanã.
Star player Neymar was at the Maracanã this Sunday (27), not for a soccer match, but to enjoy the NFL‘s debut in Brazil, featuring a clash between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. When approached by the press as he left the stadium, the player was asked about his preferred club in Rio de Janeiro and did not hesitate to affirm his affection for Flamengo. The number 10 stated:
In Rio, I am Mengão.
reaffirming a sentiment already known by many sports fans.
The moment, captured on video, showed the athlete in a relaxed mood, just moments after he was seen interacting with Flamengo player Jorginho inside the temple of Rio’s soccer. The statement reignites the debate regarding a possible future connection between the player and the Rubro-Negro club, a topic that has been floated on other occasions.
A long-standing relationship with the Rubro-Negro
Speculation about Neymar wearing the Flamengo jersey is nothing new. On several occasions, the player has publicly expressed his admiration and strong connection to the Rio-based club. However, upon his return to Brazilian soccer, his choice fell on Santos, his formative home. Currently, with an injury keeping him off the pitch, his participation in the upcoming match between his current club and Flamengo in the Brazilian Serie A, scheduled for October 8, is considered unlikely.
An open future and current performance
With his contract at Santos valid until the end of 2026, Neymar‘s future remains one of the biggest question marks in soccer. The possibilities are varied, including staying on Brazilian soil, a new adventure abroad, or even retiring from the game. This season, at 34, the forward has recorded eight goals and eight assists in 24 matches for Santos, in addition to having contributed one goal for the Brazil national team in the last World Cup.
Journalist Pedro Paulo Catonho, in a commentary for the Equipe M360, analyzed:
Neymar has been flirting with Flamengo for a long time, but his chance to play for the biggest club in Brazil has already passed. Currently, he is unable to contribute to Santos, his boyhood club, let alone Flamengo. It’s a shame, as Ney was one of the greatest in the history of Brazilian soccer.
The presence of other soccer figures at the NFL event, such as Emerson Royal, Saúl, and Léo Ortiz (Flamengo), Arthur (Santos), Fábio (Fluminense), and Everson (Atlético-MG), highlighted the appeal of the sport and the convergence of sports personalities at the Maracanã.
Neymar‘s statement, added to his presence at such a major event at the Maracanã, certainly fuels the imagination of Flamengo fans. While the player’s future remains uncertain, his declared affection for the Rio club continues to be a recurring topic, keeping the Rubro-Negro passion at a boiling point.
Equipe M360
