Flamengo shut down talk of superstar World Cup signing | OneFootball

Flamengo's director of football, José Boto, has dismissed speculation about the club signing Cristiano Ronaldo solely for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Speaking via video call at the 3rd Bola Branca Conference hosted by Rádio Renascença in Portugal, Boto made it clear that bringing in a high-profile player just for the tournament is not part of Flamengo’s plans.

“We have very clear objectives—winning the league, aiming for the Libertadores, Copa do Brasil, and trying to win as much as possible here in Brazil. We do not look favorably on the arrival of any player, whether Cristiano Ronaldo or another, solely for the World Cup,” Boto stated. “It does not seem to us that this would have a positive impact. Our focus is to strengthen for the rest of the season, not just for the World Cup. Making an investment that could harm the rest of the campaign just for the World Cup is not something we view positively from a sporting perspective.”

Flamengo is expected to reinforce the squad during the mid-year transfer window ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States. Still, Boto stressed that any signing must fit into the club’s broader ambitions and commitment to maintain competitiveness across multiple fronts, rather than serve as a short-term solution.

Boto also weighed in on the high expectations placed upon the club and the lack of patience sometimes exhibited by supporters and the wider footballing environment in Brazil. “A club like Flamengo thinks about winning everything. We have 40 million fans. We cannot afford to think long-term—we have an obligation to win,” he said. Despite strong recent performances, Boto noted that even isolated defeats can trigger demands for major changes, describing it as a characteristic of Brazilian football culture.

On the topic of coaching trends in Brazil, Boto observed that the preference for Portuguese managers is partly due to their tactical approach and openness to ideas from abroad. He suggested that while Brazil has talented coaches, many are not afforded the time or space to showcase their work due to the cycle of high pressure and short-term results.

As Flamengo prepares for a demanding year, with domestic and international targets in sight, Boto’s comments signal the club’s intention to stick to its long-term footballing vision rather than pursue high-profile, short-lived gambits—no matter the star power available on the market.

Source: UOL