Rubens Lopes grateful for role as Seleção delegation chief | OneFootball

Rodrigo Caetano and Rubens Lopes watch the Brazil National Team training session in Brisbane, ahead of the first friendly against AustraliaCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Rubens Lopes, president of the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation (FERJ), celebrated the opportunity to serve as head of delegation for the Brazil National Team during the FIFA international window. In an interview with CBF TV, the executive thanked the CBF for the invitation and stressed that he was warmly welcomed by the players and members of the coaching staff.

“I was received with great warmth. In fact, it is a huge honor to be able to take part in an event like this, the start of a new cycle looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup. I have to thank them not only for the invitation, but also for the welcome I have received here from the entire group. For me and for the entire federation I represent, it is a great honor,” he said.

Of the 26 players called up for the friendlies against Australia and India, four play for Rio clubs: Danilo Santos of Botafogo, Martinelli of Fluminense, and Samuel Lino and Pedro, both of Flamengo. There are also Andrey Santos, Douglas Luiz, and Rayan, all from Rio de Janeiro and developed at Vasco, Hugo Souza and Vinicius Jr., who came through at Flamengo, as well as Jair and Matheuzinho, who previously played for Botafogo and Flamengo respectively, and Bruno Guimarães, who was born in Rio.

In a lighthearted tone, Rubens Lopes joked about the possibility of most of the squad being made up of players from Rio football.

“Obviously, it is major recognition (for football in Rio de Janeiro). But, without wanting to sound presumptuous, if it were up to me, there would be 25,” he joked, in good humor.

As head of delegation, he represents the CBF presidency and board in institutional engagements and in the day-to-day routine of the Brazil National Team, which will play two friendlies against Australia and one against India. See the Seleção’s schedule:

Friday (September 25)

Brazil vs. Australia - 7 a.m. Brasília time (8 p.m. local time), at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, in Townsville

Tuesday (September 29)

Brazil vs. Australia - 7 a.m. Brasília time (8 p.m. local time), at Suncorp Stadium, in Brisbane

Saturday (October 3)

Brazil vs. India - 11 a.m. Brasília time (7:30 p.m. local time), at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium (known as Salt Lake), in Kolkata

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