Ex-Vasco and Botafogo player shares memories with Léo Pereira

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Coluna do Fla

·22 agosto 2025

Ex-Vasco and Botafogo player shares memories with Léo Pereira

See How the Coluna do Fla Report Interview with Bruno Nazário Went

By: Rodrigo Lima

Léo Pereira has been going through a great phase wearing the Flamengo jersey, which has generated a lot of comments about the defender. Wanting to learn a bit more about the journey from someone who has closely lived with the number 4 of Mengão, the Coluna do Fla team spoke with Bruno Nazário, highlighted by the Flamengo player himself as the best friend he made in his career.

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In a recent interview with ‘TNT Sports’, Léo Pereira mentioned the friendship he has with Bruno Nazário. In the chat, the forward said he heard about the defender’s comments and recalled that the start of their bond began back in their Athletico-PR days. He also mentioned that even while playing in China, he still keeps in touch with Flamengo’s number 4.

“Yes, I heard about it and I was very happy with his words. Léo is someone I consider a brother both on and off the field. Our friendship started a long time ago, we played together at Athletico-PR and created a very strong bond,” he said, before concluding: “Even though I’m playing here in China and he’s in Brazil, we keep in touch and always talk. Football’s routine is tough, right, and there’s the time zone issue, but we talk whenever possible, through WhatsApp. I’m always praising and celebrating his good performances, and he does the same for me,” emphasized Bruno Nazário in the interview with Coluna do Fla.

Still reminiscing, Bruno Nazário continued to recall the times he played with Léo Pereira. The Henan FC forward from China mentioned important titles they won together during their time at Athletico-PR.

“We had several moments, but I believe the titles with Athletico-PR stand out. Thank God we won important championships for the club’s history, like the Copa Sudamericana in 2018 and the Copa do Brasil in 2019. These are memories I carry with great affection.”, he highlighted.

LÉO PEREIRA’S CURRENT MOMENT AT FLAMENGO

After fondly recalling the times he played with Léo Pereira, Bruno Nazário commented on his friend’s current phase at Flamengo. In the forward’s view, the Flamengo defender is already among the best center-backs in Brazil today. Finally, he emphasized that Flamengo’s number 4 deserves a spot in the Brazilian National Team.

“Léo is a great player and is going through a great phase, helping with goals. He definitely deserves a chance in the National Team for his quality and is among the best defenders in Brazil, no doubt. He’s a very skilled defender, right? I’ve always known about his technique and I’m happy for the goals he’s been scoring, it only adds even more to his football.”“, said Bruno Nazário.

LÉO PEREIRA, FROM FLAMENGO, IS HE CALLED UP FOR THE BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM?

Bruno Nazário’s support only grows after Léo Pereira was named in Carlo Ancelotti’s preliminary list, coach of the Brazilian National Team. However, the final squad announcement to know if the Fla player will be present happens next Monday afternoon (25th). If selected, the player will be available for the ‘Amarelinha’ against Chile and Bolivia, for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

WHAT IS BRUNO NAZÁRIO’S CURRENT CAREER STATUS?

Besides playing for Athletico-PR, Bruno Nazário has also played for several Brazilian clubs, including Vasco and Botafogo, Flamengo’s rival. However, the forward is now playing in China and also shared what this experience has been like.

“I’m very happy in China, playing very well and helping my teammates. Thank God I was selected for the league’s team of the year last season, I managed to help with goals and assists, and this season we reached the final of the Chinese Cup, a very important achievement for everyone. I adapted really well here, renewed my contract at the beginning of the year and I want to achieve more and more.”, he said, before concluding:

“I had important spells in Brazilian football, lived through good things, and of course, I never close the door on a return. Brazil is special to me, but my focus right now is here at Henan. I want to be a champion here and we have a great opportunity this year.”, he finished.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

With Bruno Nazário cheering for Léo Pereira, Flamengo takes the field on Monday (25th) to face Vitória, for the 21st round of the Brasileirão. The match kicks off at 9pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. Coluna do Fla TV, as usual, will show all the details of the match on YouTube.

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