Zico sends message to Flamengo players, highlights motivation | OneFootball

Zico mentioned that playing for Flamengo is already an act of motivation

Flamengo was the champion of the main tournaments last season, but started 2026 in an unstable way. Thus, Zico, the greatest idol in the history of the red-and-black club, mentioned that just playing for the Most Beloved is already a motivation.

— The fact of playing with the Flamengo jersey is already a motivation. Being at Flamengo does not require extra motivation. You have to show up, work every day, and always be motivated. How many would love to be at Flamengo? — Zico began.

— So, if you are there, you can't say that just because you won everything, the following year you won't have motivation. That doesn't convince me. There are certain jerseys in Brazilian football that demand constant motivation — he concluded, in an interview with the Coluna do Fla team.

WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF ZICO'S CRITICISM?

Flamengo won practically everything it competed for during the season under coach Filipe Luís. That's because the red-and-black team won the Campeonato Carioca, the Brasileirão, and the Copa Libertadores.

However, Flamengo started the 2026 season on a negative note. Mengão even ran the risk of playing in the relegation quadrangular in the Campeonato Carioca. In addition, they lost the finals of the Supercopa do Brasil and the Recopa Sudamericana.

WHEN DOES FLAMENGO PLAY?

Now, Flamengo remains focused on the next challenges of the season. The red-and-black team faces Corinthians this Sunday (22), at 8:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena, for the eighth round of the Brasileirão.

Thus, Coluna do Fla brings all the information about the interstate classic between Flamengo and Corinthians, for the Campeonato Brasileiro. Finally, CazéTV, on YouTube, and TV Record, on broadcast TV, will air the match.

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