Rio de Janeiro (AFP)
Veteran Chilean international midfielder Arturo Vidal, who recently joined Brazilian club Flamengo after spending nearly 15 years moving between European clubs, said that his choice was motivated by the desire to win the Copa Libertadores, the soccer equivalent of the European Champions League.
“It’s my first wish, I’m here in Flamengo for that,” Vidal, 35, said during his presentation to reporters.
Flamengo, the most famous Brazilian club, officially announced last week the contract of the former Italian Inter player.
For his part, Vidal has published, in recent months, on social media, pictures of him wearing the club’s red and black shirt.
Vidal is living the “dream” that he always had during his career, and he described the moment he entered the field wearing a Flamengo shirt as “the happiest moment of my career.”
Vidal, who is famous for his harsh nature, strange hairstyle and tattoos on his body, put an end to a 15-year career in European stadiums, crowned by winning 9 local titles, with Juventus, Italian Inter, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Vidal hoped to “adapt as quickly as possible” to his new team, referring in particular to his way of playing “always at the maximum, but with respect for the opponent.”
Vidal began his football career with the Chilean Colo Colo (2005-2007), before playing in the “old continent” with Bayer Leverkusen (2007-2011), Bayern Munich (2015-2018), Juventus (2011-2015), and Inter (since 2020). ”, and Barcelona “2018-2020”.
Flamengo are currently seventh in the Brazilian League, seven points behind leaders Atletico Mineiro, and Dorival Junior’s players are scheduled to play the Copa Libertadores quarter-final against Corinthians from Sao Paulo next August.
Flamengo reached the final of the continental competition twice in the last three editions, to be crowned in 2019 before losing the final last year.
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