Spain World Cup winner reveals he nearly joined Flamengo: “Lovely” | OneFootball

Fernando Llorente said he received an offer from Flamengo in 2019

A world champion with Spain regrets not having won the Libertadores with Flamengo. Fernando Llorente, winner of the 2010 World Cup, came close to playing for Mengão in 2019. However, the deal did not go through, and the now former player was unable to play for Brazil’s biggest club.

— I had an offer from Flamengo in the final years of my career. It was when Filipe Luís was signed, when they won the Libertadores… I could have won it too. It would have been beautiful. I wasn’t sure at the time, and it didn’t happen —, the Spaniard told CazéTV.

WHO IS LLORENTE?

Now 41 years old, Llorente played for major clubs in Europe, such as Juventus (ITA), Napoli (ITA), Sevilla (ESP), Tottenham (ENG), Udinese (ITA), among others. However, the peak of the former striker’s career was winning the 2010 World Cup. In addition, the former forward also won the European Championship in 2012.

In 2019, when he nearly joined Flamengo, Llorente moved from Tottenham to Napoli. However, the Spaniard failed to succeed at the club, scoring only four goals in 29 matches. Later, the former player went on to play for Udinese and Eibar (ESP), where he retired in the 2021/22 season.

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

Llorente’s “non-signing” may have helped Flamengo achieve one of the greatest years in the club’s history. After all, in 2019, the Rubro-Negro won the Libertadores and the Brasileirão. In addition, Gabigol, who would have been the Spaniard’s competitor in attack, had an unforgettable season and became an idol for Mengo.

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