Saúl reveals dad’s odd demand ‘because of Zico’, Flamengo icon | OneFootball

Saúl attended the launch event for the film ‘Zico, the Samurai of Quintino’

In the past, at the Flamengo academy, every blond midfielder had a chance to be called the ‘new Zico.’ But that kind of pressure goes beyond borders and happens in Spain as well. Flamengo midfielder Saúl said that his father and brother pushed him to be like the club’s greatest idol. The Spaniard made the revelation on Monday night (30), during the premiere of the film ‘Zico, the Samurai of Quintino,’ in Rio de Janeiro.

— I know Zico (as a player) from what people told me. For me, the most memorable moment was when I met him at the Calderón (Vicente Calderón, Atlético de Madrid’s stadium). I had the chance to take a photo with him, and everyone said he was one of the greatest legends in the world —, began Saúl.

— My father and my brother used to say I had to be like him. I didn’t know why, maybe because I had long hair. I never saw him play, but I’m going to now, in the film. He is a legend not only for what he did on the pitch, but for what he does off it. He left a legacy far greater than football —, he added.

WHO ELSE ATTENDED THE ZICO FILM?

Besides Saúl, other Flamengo players went to a shopping mall in Barra da Tijuca to honor Zico: Lucas Paquetá, Jorginho, Pedro and Léo Ortiz. Former center-back and former Mengão assistant Rodrigo Caio was also there, as was the president of the Rubro-Negro, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap.

— Zico is one of the giants of world football. If he had played 20 years later, the world would probably revere him. Being able to preserve that in a film, with advanced technology, is really cool. Flamengo and Zico are linked in a unique way, and this recognition is very nice to see —, Bap said.

WHAT IS THE FILM ZICO, THE SAMURAI OF QUINTINO LIKE?

The Coluna do Fla team attended the film’s preview screenings in Recife and Brasília. Our team had the opportunity to watch the work firsthand, which chronologically follows every step of Galinho’s journey, from his family origins to the present day alongside his grandchildren.

Zico’s main achievements with Flamengo are, of course, highlighted, such as the Brazilian league titles of 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1987, as well as the 1981 Libertadores and Club World Cup. But the film also recounts difficult moments, such as the serious knee injury in 1985 and the painful defeats at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

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