FLAMENGO CONSIDERS ECONOMIC OPTIONS FOR NEW STADIUM

First great reinforcement from the "Era Eduardo Bandeira de Mello" in Flamengo, Marcelo Cirino, now 32 years old, has his bags ready for Indonesia. The striker was officially announced as PSS Sleman's new player.

“We always think about the group, about the whole. But thinking individually, I hope I can help, score goals, help my teammates on the field and raise Sleman's level always”, said Cirino in a video posted on the Indonesian club's social media.

MARCELO CIRINO'S CAREER

Marcelo Cirino began his career at Athletico Paranaense, where he gained prominence on the national scene. After his spell at Flamengo, he played for clubs such as Vitória, Internacional and Bahia, in addition to operating in the Arab Emirates, China and Operário de Ponta Thick-PR. Now, Cirino begins a new chapter in his career in Asian football.

THE ICONIC QUOTE ABOUT ZICO

In 2015, Cirino starred in one of the most remembered moments of his career. Hired for R$ 17 millionas the first major investment of Eduardo Bandeira de Mello's management, he arrived at Flamengo surrounded by expectations. Right at the presentation, however, his statement about Zico, the club's biggest idol, generated great repercussion:

“The first emotion I had was at the airport when some fan members were coming to me. waiting. There, I felt what my time at Flamengo would be like. I heard the anthem upon arrival and, at the end, there is a statue of the biggest idol (Zico). I don't know if I'll reach his height, but I hope to become an idol”, said Marcelo Cirino in February 2015.

Although well-intentioned, the phrase became a reason jokeafter the player's discreet spell at the club.

MARCELO CIRINO AT FLAMENGO

Between 2015 and 2017, Marcelo Cirino played 131 official games for Flamengo, but he was a starter in less than half of those matches. He scored 23 goals and, although he contributed in important moments, he failed to achieve the idol status he desired. After leaving the club, he transferred to Internacional, beginning a journey with several teams.

León, the Mexican representative in Group D of the Club World Cup, is about to announce a major reinforcement: James Rodríguez. The Colombian midfielder, who previously played for São Paulo and had been without a club since leaving Rayo Vallecano, could be made official as the team's new player in the next few hours, according to information from journalist César Luis Merlo.

The World Cup group brings together Flamengo, Chelsea, Espérance Sportive and León. CRF will meet the Mexican club again, which has been an opponent in historic moments. During the 2014 Libertadores, the teams shared the same group, with Mengão being beaten in both matches: 2-1 in Mexico and 3-2 at Maracanã.

WORLD CLUBS PROMISES GREAT GATHERINGS

This year's tournament, which will be held in the United States, marks Flamengo's fourth participation in the competition. Mais Querido won the title in his debut at the World Cup,finished runner-up in the second attempt and secured the bronze medal in the most recent edition.

James Rodríguez's entry into León reinforces the expectation of a highly competitive group, where Chelsea appears as one of the favorites, but the other teams, including CRF, promise to fight for each point. The DAZN platform secured the broadcasting rights for the 2025 Club World Cup with a million-dollar investment. The action strengthens coverage of the tournament and expands fans' access to one of the most anticipated events in world football. 

BROADCASTING RIGHTS GUARANTEED

Also according to Merlo, the announcement could be made by León in the next few hours. Flamengo's opponent in the World Cup in the United States, the Mexican club came to face Mengão in the 2014 Libertadores. At the time, the teams fell into the same group and Fla lost both matches to their rival: 2-1 in Mexico and 3-2 at Maracanã.