Vitão recalls the ‘terror’ of facing Flamengo: “I’d get home and…” | OneFootball

Vitão struggled against Flamengo in recent years

After a long ‘soap opera’, Vitão is finally a Flamengo player. The defender was officially presented this Friday (09) at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center. In a humorous tone, the defender expressed relief at no longer having to face the Most Beloved.

— It was always very difficult (to face Flamengo). After every match against Flamengo, I would get home—my wife is here as my witness—and she would say: “Wow, it seemed tough.” I’m very happy to be here, I saw the quality up close in the matches and now I’ll have the pleasure of experiencing it day to day. I hope to learn as much as possible, there are only stars here, and to help in the best way I can — said Vitão, drawing laughter from those present.

In 2025, for example, Vitão’s Internacional did not beat Flamengo. There were four matches in total, with three victories for the red-and-black and one draw. Two of those wins were in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores da América, which ended with Mengão’s fourth title.

WHAT IS VITÃO’S RECORD AGAINST FLAMENGO?

In his career, Vitão faced Flamengo ten times, from 2022 until last year. In total, the defender had two victories, Flamengo had four, and there were four draws. Aside from the two encounters already mentioned in the Libertadores, the other eight matches took place in the Brazilian Championship.

SO, HOW WAS VITÃO’S PRESENTATION?

In summary, Vitão received the number 44 shirt at Flamengo at his own request. The number, in fact, was also used during his time at Internacional. Thus, in his first interview as a red-and-black, the defender was moved to tears as he recalled the beginning of his career in Jacarezinho, in the interior of Paraná, all the way to the peak: wearing the Sacred Mantle.

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