Vinícius backs Flamengo for Club World Cup glory | OneFootball

According to Lance, Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior offered words of encouragement to Brazilian clubs competing in the Club World Cup, singling out his boyhood side Flamengo for a special mention. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Vinícius praised the collective effort of the four Brazilian teams—Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Palmeiras—as they progressed to the tournament’s knockout phase, underlining the strength and depth of the Brasileirão.

“Brazil has great players, the league is always very competitive, and Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo, and Palmeiras all made it through to the next round. Now the competition really starts; I wish them all luck, especially Flamengo, which is the team of my heart. But I want all the Brazilian clubs to move forward with confidence. The competition is there to be played, so you have to play,” the Real Madrid number 7 said.

Vinícius, who developed through Flamengo’s academy before his move to Europe, was also asked about the possibility of facing his former club in the semifinals. He played down speculation, emphasizing the need to focus on the immediate tasks ahead. “It’s still a long way off, right? I have to think step by step. Our next game is against Juventus, and Flamengo also has to win its own match. But I wish Flamengo the best of luck, and that we can both continue strong and get to the final of the competition,” he added.

Vinícius’ comments come at a time when Flamengo have been attracting attention for both results and financial power, having progressed from their group and ranking among the tournament's top earners, as highlighted by recent reporting from Globo and Lance. With the knockout rounds beginning, Flamengo—under the guidance of Filipe Luís—are preparing for a high-profile clash against Bayern Munich. The team’s run features notable performances from emerging talents such as Wallace Yan, while a strong defensive setup has been discussed as they confront European opposition.

Vinícius’ message reflects a sense of solidarity with Brazilian clubs, particularly his former side, as they aim to assert themselves on the global stage. For Flamengo, his words add another layer of motivation as they seek further progress in the Club World Cup.

Source: Lance

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images