Flamengo’s global reach gained another unusual chapter after Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons was spotted purchasing a historic jersey from the Rio de Janeiro club.
The strength of the Flamengo brand extends far beyond the borders of South American football, reaching European pitches and the radar of international stars.
Proof of this was the recent sighting of midfielder Xavi Simons, currently tied to Tottenham, at the renowned specialty store Classic Football Shirts.
The athlete was seen taking home a Rubro-Negro relic from the 1993 season, a kit that left its mark on an era among supporters.
The reaction among Mengão fans on social media was immediate, with thousands of comments celebrating the international appreciation for the club’s mystical aura.
The uniform chosen by the Dutch player carries strong nostalgic value, hearkening back to a traditional period in Brazilian football and highlighting how classic jerseys from Mais Querido maintain collector’s item status on European soil.
The European star’s nostalgic choice
The piece acquired by Xavi Simons is the traditional red-and-black uniform used in 1993, featuring the number 7 on the back.
During that period, Flamengo displayed Petrobras and Lubrax branding on the shirt, with kit manufacturing by Umbro.
The 1993 season is remembered in club history for a generational transition and the classic polo-collar design.
Although on-field performances were inconsistent—featuring a mid-table campaign in the Brazilian Serie A and a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal elimination to São Paulo—that year’s aesthetic remains immortalized in the memory of fans.
Career trajectory and current moment
A product of Barcelona‘s youth academy, Xavi Simons played for football giants such as PSG before shining at PSV, where he recorded his highest-scoring season.
Following stints with RB Leipzig, the midfielder arrived at Tottenham for the 2025/26 season.
Currently, the European football player is sidelined for an extended period.
Xavi Simons is recovering from a severe anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee, an injury that also ruled him out of the World Cup.
While the midfielder focuses on his physical rehabilitation in English football, Flamengo remains concentrated on its crucial commitments for the current season.
The Rio de Janeiro side splits its attention between the decisive stretch of the Brazilian Serie A and the pursuit of new continental titles, consolidating both its athletic competitiveness and its global cultural appeal, as pointed out by the M360 Team analysis.
