Vampeta on Flamengo crisis, claims role in Adriano’s success | OneFootball

In 2001, Vampeta joined Flamengo after a trade for Adriano Imperador and Reinaldo

One of the most famous phrases in Brazilian football is: “They pretend to pay and I pretend to play.” The author of this ‘gem’ was Vampeta, in 2001, during Flamengo's financial crisis. On Monday (10), however, the former player stated that he regrets the protest.

— I believed that Flamengo was going to pay me. So, I said what I said. Today, Flamengo earns R$ 2 billion, winning a ton of titles. If I had known, I wouldn't have said that phrase -, highlighted Vampeta during the Charla Podcast.

How did Vampeta's phrase resonate at the time?

— The president (Edmundo Santos Silva) said to me: “You selfish, see Pet, Edílson, your fellow countryman? See Reinaldo there? The guys have been unpaid for 120 days, four months. You want to get paid after 40 days, you selfish” -, recounted the former midfielder.

Does Vampeta have a connection with Adriano Imperador?

To get the midfielder in 2001, Flamengo agreed to send Reinaldo to Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) (only in 2002) and Adriano to Internazionale of Milan (ITA). Thus, Vampeta claims he is responsible for the Imperador's success in Italy.

— From Paris, I am traded for Adriano Imperador, and I say that if it weren't for me, he would still be Adrianinho today. He becomes Imperador because I was traded. If I hadn't signed the paper, he would still be Didico today. He laughs -, stated Vampeta.

What happened with Flamengo in 2001?

Vampeta and company fought to avoid relegation in the Brasileirão of 2001. Then, the Rubro-Negro only escaped relegation in the last game by defeating Palmeiras 2-0. However, the midfielder did not continue with Flamengo for the following year.

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