Renato Augusto: I offered myself to Flamengo, reveals club he supports | OneFootball

Revealed at Flamengo, Renato Augusto is a Corinthians idol

Renato Augusto often recounts that he supported Flamengo until the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil 2006 from the stands of Maracanã. In the final, against Vasco, the former midfielder was promoted to the main team and helped the club secure the trophy. However, the recently retired player holds some grudges against Mengão and now follows Corinthians more closely.

– I have affection and gratitude for Flamengo, but my story, where my eyes light up, where I get goosebumps, emotional, today is with Corinthians. For everything I experienced, for all the affection the fans have for me — said Renato Augusto, to GE.

WHY DIDN'T RENATO AUGUSTO RETURN TO FLAMENGO?

With a meteoric rise at Flamengo in 2006, Renato Augusto stood out and, in 2008, caught the attention of Bayer Leverkusen (GER). The dream of the former Flamengo enthusiast was always to return home, but according to the Gávea native, the doors never opened again, despite his attempts.

– For a long time, I was hurt. I tried to return several times, and the club later publicly claimed that I didn't want to. That hurt me a bit. It's part of the game, that's the truth. If at that moment they (management) think bringing someone else is better for the club, I can't be upset. There were some situations, the first when I went to Corinthians. I had given my word to Kleber Leite that the preference was for Flamengo. He said: “no need to sign anything, the word, you and me”. So I said: “look, my preference will be Flamengo” — Renato recounted.

— It was during the election period, I spoke with Zinho, everything was well underway, but they lost the election. Anyway, they thought it wasn't the right time: “we don't want an expensive player”. I did my part. At that moment, the best, if you think coldly, was Corinthians, which was the team of the moment, world champion, all structured. But I had given my word. And the following week they hired another player in my position, for the same value, with the same contract, everything the same. Months later, they say I didn't want to go. How can they say that about me? And then, to the fans, it seemed like I didn't want to return — he concluded.

DID RENATO AUGUSTO RETIRE?

Due to a series of injuries, Renato Augusto decided to hang up his boots this year, while playing for Fluminense. With Flamengo, the former player won, in addition to the Copa do Brasil, two Campeonato Carioca titles, in 2007 and 2008, against Botafogo.

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