EXCLUSIVE! FLAMENGO IDOL, LEANDRO SPEAKS ABOUT APOLINHO: "THE FIRST COMPLIMENT I RECEIVED FROM A JOURNALIST WAS FROM HIM"

Thursday dawned cloudy in the world of journalism and also in Flamengo. This is because one of the giants of sports communication, Washington Rodrigues, "Apolinho", passed away on Wednesday night (May 15, 2024) at the age of 87. He was admitted to Hospital Samaritano, in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, where he was being treated for cancer.

The radio host was a beloved person in the sporting world. In this sense, Fla's eternal idol, full-back Leandro, in an exclusive interview with journalist Diego Alarcon, from Gazeta do Urubu, spoke about the death and revealed a great affection for Washington Rodrigues, after revealing a curiosity between them.

"Sad, right man? Brazil loses one of its great journalists, a great professional. I had a very special affection for him, because of when I was still young, in 76. He had a column in the newspaper, now I'm not going to remember the newspaper, but it was his first compliment, a criticism I received from a journalist was his", said Leandro, who continued...

"He once wrote in the newspaper, that in Flamengo's youth , there was a left-back (he played left-back at the time) who is already going to become a professional and will be a great football player", added the former full-back.

In addition, the 81 champion revealed that he spent time with Apolinho personally:

"I have immense affection for him. I've already met him personally. I've invited him to my birthdays, he was a great red-black guy, he told great stories and he'll really be missed by all of us, but he is with God now", concluded Leandro.

Apolinho coach

The radio presenter was also a football coach and led Flamengo. Apolinho was a fan of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo and coached the club in the 1995 season. On that occasion, he led Flamengo to runner-up in the now-defunct Supercopa Libertadores, with a 2-1 defeat to Independiente, from Argentina.

After leaving his position as coach in 1995, he returned to the club for another year in 1998, as Director of Football for the red-black team....