Boto names Prestianni and 3 more as viable Flamengo signings | OneFootball

Flamengo’s football director mentioned four players who play in Portugal and who, in his view, could play for the Most Beloved

José Boto took advantage of the break for the FIFA international window and took part in the Portugal Football Summit. During the event, Flamengo’s football director spoke about the Portuguese market and named four players who could play for Rubro-Negro.

— I really like that Porto player with the strange name, Froholdt, I like him a lot. I followed him last year already and I like him a lot. But I think there are quite a few players who could play for Flamengo. I really like Maxi Araújo, from Sporting, Prestianni is also an excellent player. And then we have the Portuguese players, Tomás Araújo… we have several players who would certainly fit at Flamengo —, Boto said in an interview with Record Portugal.

Among the names mentioned, Gianluca Prestianni stands out because of the recent controversy involving Vini Jr. The Argentine plays for Benfica (POR) and received a six-match UEFA suspension for discriminatory conduct against the Real Madrid (ESP) forward in a Champions League match in February 2026.

During a midseason friendly between Flamengo and Benfica in Portugal, Prestianni was also booed by the rubro-negra fans. In addition, the Flamengo supporters in the stadium chanted Vini Jr.’s name when the Argentine came onto the pitch and touched the ball.

WHICH PLAYERS DID BOTO NAME?

Besides Prestianni, Boto highlighted three other players who play in Portuguese football. Maxi Araújo plays for Sporting and can operate as a left-back or left wing-back. The Uruguayan also played for his country’s national team at the World Cup.

Victor Froholdt, meanwhile, plays for Porto (POR) and is a midfielder. The Dane also plays for his national team. Tomás Araújo, meanwhile, belongs to Benfica and plays as a center-back.

Boto also explained that Flamengo faces difficulties when trying to sign Portuguese players. According to the executive, players from the country still do not see Brazilian football as a natural destination for their careers.

— There are quite a few players here I would like to sign, some Portuguese, others foreign, but who play in Portugal. It’s difficult, because Portuguese players still don’t see Brazil as a country to move to, right? —, he said.

BOTO HIGHLIGHTS SALARIES PAID IN BRAZIL

Despite the reluctance of Portuguese players to play in Brazilian football, Flamengo’s director stressed that the financial situation could favor domestic clubs. After all, Brazilian teams are able to offer competitive salaries in the market.

— Although today in Brazil very, very good salaries are paid. That culture of the Portuguese player moving to Brazil still doesn’t exist, but there are very good players here in Portugal, not only Portuguese ones, but also foreign players who play for the big three, players who would fit perfectly at Flamengo —, Boto concluded.

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