Ex-Flamengo star makes unusual promise if Bolivia qualify for World Cup | OneFootball

Marcelo Moreno retired from the pitch in 2023

The South American World Cup Qualifiers will have their final round this Tuesday (09), and Bolivia and Venezuela are competing for a spot in the 2026 World Cup playoffs. Before the match against Brazil, in El Alto, the former Flamengo striker, Marcelo Moreno, made an unusual promise: if the Bolivians secure the qualification, he will come out of retirement.

"If Bolivia goes to the World Cup, I will try to do everything, but I will return to play. My dream, man. My dream has to be fulfilled on the field, playing the World Cup," said the former striker Marcelo Moreno, in an interview this Tuesday (9) with the portal UOL.

— I played five Qualifiers with the Bolivian National Team. There were draws, losses, and victories. So, it's always a very difficult game against the Brazilian National Team, but, as it's a life or death match for Bolivia, I believe in a positive result for our team, yes —, he concluded.

WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF THE MOMENT?

Currently, South America has six direct spots and one in the playoffs of the 2026 World Cup. Thus, the six already guaranteed qualifiers are: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, and Paraguay. Finally, Venezuela and Bolivia are competing for the last one, which will define the representative in the playoffs.

Venezuela has 18 points and faces Colombia at home. Therefore, to advance, it only needs a simple victory. Bolivia, on the other hand, will have to beat Brazil, at an altitude of over four thousand meters above sea level, and also hope that the Venezuelans do not achieve victory.

HOW IS MARCELO MORENO?

Marcelo Moreno has been retired from the pitch since 2023, when he announced that he would not continue playing. At the time, the former center forward was defending Cruzeiro. In addition, the former Flamengo striker represented the Bolivian National Team between 2007 and 2023, scoring 31 goals in 108 games.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GAME?

The last round of the South American Qualifiers will be historic. This is because, if Venezuela secures the spot in the playoffs, it will have the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup for the first time. On the other hand, the Bolivians are seeking their fourth participation, with the last one being in 1994.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.