Júlio Baptista says he wanted to play for Flamengo | OneFootball

"Flamengo. When I came back to Brazil, I wanted to return to São Paulo, my home and all that. But I ended up going to Cruzeiro. Before that, there was interest from Flamengo, I wanted to play there," said Júlio Baptista, speaking to Nsports.

A São Paulo academy graduate, Baptista moved to Spain and became a Sevilla idol. In 2005, La Bestia, as he was known, signed for Real Madrid during the Galácticos era alongside Ronaldo, Raúl, Roberto Carlos, Beckham and Figo.

Still contracted to Real, he spent one season on loan at Arsenal. He then played for Roma and Málaga before returning to Brazil.

In 2013, with Flamengo interest on the table, he signed for Cruzeiro and stayed until 2015. He retired in 2018 after a brief spell with Cluj.

The exchange came via a question from influencer and prominent Vasco fan Wallace Neguere. He reacted with surprise and disappointment at Baptista’s wish to wear Flamengo’s shirt.

Source: Coluna Do Fla