Léo Ortiz faces Ravens star in kickabout before NFL Rio debut; video | OneFootball

Flamengo center-back played a ‘pickup game’ with Zay Flowers, wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens (USA)

Flamengo has its eyes on the NFL. The club made Ninho do Urubu available to the Dallas Cowboys (USA), who are preparing in the city for the North American league’s first game in Rio de Janeiro. Besides the training sessions, Flamengo players also took the opportunity to interact with league athletes. Léo Ortiz, for example, played a ‘pickup game’ with Zay Flowers, wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens (USA).

In a post from the official NFL page, the Flamengo defender appears in a little soccer kickaround with the American star. In the images, Léo Ortiz gets the better of his opponent and even finds the net. “I’m already tired of Léo. Léo’s already got me,” Zay Flowers joked, in a lighthearted tone.

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WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NFL GAME IN RIO?

Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens face off this Sunday (27) at Maracanã Stadium. Therefore, it will be the first time Rio de Janeiro hosts an official NFL game. The matchup is part of Week 3 of the 2026/27 season and is scheduled to kick off at 5:25 p.m. Brasília time.

HOW MANY INTERNATIONAL GAMES DOES THE NFL HAVE IN 2026?

The game at the Maracanã is part of the league’s international schedule, a record number of games outside the United States. In all, there will be nine matchups played outside the country this season. Over the last two years, São Paulo hosted NFL games. In 2026, however, it is Rio de Janeiro’s turn to host the event.

WHERE DID THE COWBOYS AND RAVENS TRAIN IN RIO?

For their preparation in the city, the Dallas Cowboys used the facilities at Ninho do Urubu, Flamengo’s training center. The Baltimore Ravens, meanwhile, trained at Lonier, Botafogo’s training center. In this way, the two NFL teams shared space with Rio rivals ahead of the league’s debut in the city.

WHY WAS THE MARACANÃ PITCH REINFORCED?

Before the NFL’s arrival, the Maracanã pitch received an application of synthetic fiber this Thursday (24). The goal was to reinforce the surface with hybrid stitching, increasing the field’s durability and safety.

As a result, the intervention also addresses recent criticism from Flamengo and Fluminense players about the condition of the surface. Even so, the problem is not new and has already appeared in other matches played at the stadium.

WHEN WILL FLAMENGO PLAY AT THE MARACANÃ AGAIN?

After the activity brought by the NFL, Flamengo will only return to the stadium on October 11 against Fluminense, in the 30th round of the Brasileirão. That means the red-and-black supporters will follow all the preparation for the Cowboys vs. Ravens clash from the outside.

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