US club legend gushes over Flamengo: “Dream” | OneFootball

Former Flamengo player, Anderson Varejão opened up about Flamengo

The World Cup is taking place in the United States, but the country is a powerhouse in other sports, such as basketball. A Brazilian who is an idol in North America playing with the orange ball is Anderson Varejão, a legend of the Cleveland Cavaliers (USA). Between 2018 and 2019, the former center fulfilled his dream of playing for the club he loves, Flamengo.

— A unique opportunity. We know how difficult it is for an athlete to play for the team he supports. It’s hard for that to happen. I had the opportunity to play for Flamengo, to represent the Nation. It was a dream come true. Even better than that, I not only played for Flamengo, but we also managed to win titles —, said Varejão.

— That’s what matters most at that club. The pressure comes from outside… The pursuit of results, of titles, the fans always demanding more. If you win the last three, they want the fourth. I really felt that whenever I went out for lunch or dinner in Rio, people were always saying, “you have to win” —, he added in an interview with ‘CazéTV’.

SO, IS VAREJÃO STILL IN THE UNITED STATES?

Anderson Varejão retired in 2021, in Cleveland, and remains in the United States. Now 43 years old, the former player attended Brazil’s most recent game on Saturday (06), a friendly that ended 2-1 for Carlo Ancelotti’s team against Egypt.

The former basketball player took part in several activities before Brazil’s football match. The former center interacted with ‘Canarinho’, the National Team’s mascot; tossed the coin before kickoff in the friendly against Egypt; and even caught the attention of Mo Salah, the African team’s star, who asked the Espírito Santo native for a photo.

AFTER ALL, WHAT TITLES DID VAREJÃO WIN AT FLAMENGO?

A two-time NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Anderson Varejão also won titles at Flamengo. The center won one NBB title and one Copa Super 8, both in the 2018/19 season. However, due to cost-cutting measures, the player was released in 2019, the year Rodolfo Landim took over the club.

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