Flamengo stars, including Léo Ortiz, Saúl Ñíguez, and Emerson Royal, enjoy the historic NFL matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys at the Maracanã.
The legendary Maracanã, home to countless football glories, opened its doors this Sunday (27) for a historic event: the NFL clash between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys. On a night celebrating sports, the Rio stadium attracted a constellation of personalities, including major names in Brazilian football, who made sure to show up and experience the unique atmosphere of American football.
Among the distinguished spectators, the presence of Flamengo athletes stood out. Defender Léo Ortiz, midfielder Saúl Ñíguez, and fullback Emerson Royal were spotted at the “Sacred Temple” well before kickoff, highlighting the growing interest in the sport in the country and the athletes’ passion for different disciplines.
Rubro-Negro stars on the field and in the stands
Although Flamengo had no matches this Sunday, the trio of players did not miss the opportunity to catch the NFL spectacle. Even with the game scheduled to start at 5:25 PM (Brasília time), Léo Ortiz, Saúl Ñíguez, and Emerson Royal arrived early at the Maracanã, interacting with fans and capturing the moment on social media. The players’ presence generated significant buzz, uniting fans of both football and American football.
Léo Ortiz’s passion for the NFL
Defender Léo Ortiz is a self-proclaimed huge fan of American football. Known for applying some of the sport’s tactics and philosophies to his performance on the pitch, the Flamengo No. 3 demonstrated his long-standing enthusiasm. During the week leading up to the game, Ortiz participated in several promotional events and had the chance to speak with Dallas Cowboys players at the Ninho do Urubu training center, exchanging experiences.
Celebrities and team preparations
In addition to the Flamengo athletes, the Maracanã hosted a series of other national and international celebrities for the match. Among them, influencer Virginia Fonseca, partner of Vini Jr.—a product of the Flamengo youth system—was also in attendance. For the matchup, the NFL teams held their preparation routines in Rio de Janeiro. The Dallas Cowboys used one of the pitches at the Flamengo training center, while the Baltimore Ravens trained at Botafogo‘s facilities. Fullback Alex Telles, a declared fan of the sport, was also at the Maracanã and interacted with the American athletes.
Where to watch the NFL duel
The unprecedented matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens at the Maracanã, which kicked off at 5:25 PM (Brasília time) this Sunday (27), received extensive television coverage. American football fans were able to follow all the action through the cable channel SporTV and the GETV channel on YouTube, which broadcast every detail of this landmark event for sports in Brazil.
Hosting an NFL game at the Maracanã, with the presence of Flamengo stars and other personalities, reinforces the growing popularity of American football in Brazil and the country’s capacity to host major sporting events across various disciplines. The initiative not only promotes cultural exchange between sports but also solidifies Rio de Janeiro‘s image as a global events hub.
While the crowd cheers for the NFL, the Flamengo squad is preparing for its next football challenge. The Rio team will take the field on October 8th to face Santos in the Brazilian Serie A. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM (Brasília time) at Vila Belmiro, in a game that will be covered in detail by the M360 Team, closely following Mengão‘s performance in its pursuit of this season’s objectives.
