"Love you": Flamengo player declares his feelings for Neymar of Santos | OneFootball

Flamengo Youth Academy Gem Ryan Roberto Shares Meeting with Neymar

Neymar is one of the main attractions of the 2025 Brasileirão. The Santos striker was in Rio de Janeiro last weekend to face Flamengo. Flamengo youth player Ryan Roberto took the opportunity to meet and express his admiration for his idol.

See this photo on Instagram A post shared by Ryan Roberto (@ryanroberto08)

“Thank you for welcoming me so well, idol. You are a phenomenon, on and off the field! I love you, Ney,” wrote Ryan Roberto in a social media post with a photo next to the Santos player. The Flamengo youth product did not reveal where the photo was taken, but the setting suggests it happened at the hotel where the São Paulo team was staying.

IS RYAN ROBERTO REALLY A NEYMAR FAN?

In an exclusive interview with Coluna do Fla in December 2024, Ryan Roberto made it clear that he is a huge fan of Neymar. During a chat with reporter Mônica Alves, the winger showered praise on the Santos striker and said he is inspired by the former number 10 of the Brazilian National Team.

— Neymar has always been my idol. I identify with him; he’s a bold guy who likes to dribble too, likes to have the ball at his feet all the time. It has always been and will always be Neymar, my great idol — said Ryan, a year ago.

— You can see Neymar is out of this world, but it’s also about who’s with him, who gives him the ball so he can do what he does. I really enjoyed talking to Filipe (Luís) about this. Practically every day he would give me examples and talk about Neymar, because he knew I liked him. And I do hope to get a chance with the first team, I’m going to work hard for it. And I believe he (Filipe Luís) also wants to take me there — he added.

WHO IS RYAN ROBERTO?

Currently 17 years old, Ryan Roberto has been alternating between Flamengo’s U-20 and U-17 teams. The youngster’s most recent match was in the U-20 Copa do Brasil, in Flamengo’s 2-0 win over Atlético-MG at Estádio Luso-Brasileiro.

Regarded as a gem of Flamengo, Ryan has a contract with Flamengo until December of next year. His release clause is 50 million euros (about R$ 271 million at the current exchange rate) for foreign clubs. Despite his dreams, the youngster has not yet been given a chance with the professional team.

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