Fútbolita

Meet Raio Gomes, Brasil’s Official Fútbolita! The journalism student from Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, works at a news agency for children’s rights and supports Flamengo passionately. She also hopes to work as a professional journalist in the area of Sports and Culture one day. So let’s all say “BEM-VINDO, menina!” to Raio as she joins Fútbolita on our World Cup journey!

“Well, Brasilia is the political mainpoint of Brazil. It’s a very young city that reaches the 50TH anniversary in April 21st. We don’t have any beaches here, and we are not in the touristic mainstream. A very curious aspect of Brasilia is that it was “built”. I like it here very much. Lúcio was born and his family still lives here.”

On how she fell in love with football…

“Originally I fell in love with volleyball and I played it for one year. Then I stopped playing do keep going with my studies. The interest for football started in my home ’cause my father is completely crazy ’bout Flamengo, but I was never a very talented player. When I was around 14 all most of my friends were boys, and it influenced me a lot in understanding and talking about it.”

On her favourite Brasileirao team…

“Flamengooooooo!!! Por que é o maioooor! The greatest!!! The team of Garrincha, and now, Adriano!”

On Brazil’s chances at this year’s World Cup

Now is the time for our sixth championship!!! I hope Dunga can work better than he shown so far. But I really trust our players, and I hope Dunga to put Ronaldinho in the team, cause he knows what to do when it comes to World Cup (note : sadly, he’s only a reserve)

On the passion of the Brazilians…

“Here in Brazil, the World Cup changes everything. Football is a very important part of the Brazilian people lives. When Brazil squad plays, student are allowed to stay home to watch the match, people leave their jobs, and things like that!”

On her favourite players from past and present…

“Luis Fabiano, Adriano, Garrincha and of course, Pelé. It sounds a little obvious to choose those guys, but I really like them. Luis Fabiano has improved his playing style a lot. But he is, like others, the face of Brazilian’s football failure, because all those excellent players do not remain here in most of cases.  Which is one of the reasons I admire Garrincha so much. Despite of nowadays, players used to love their teams as well.”

On representing Brazil as the official Futbolita…

“I’m very excited and happy for that. To me it’s a great honor and responsibility to do so, especially in a country where people breathe football. I hope to represent my country very well in this journey. I am a Futbolita because as much as my compatriots, I LIVE FOOTBALL”

Photos by Gustavo Aguiar © for Fútbolita.
Raio is wearing the Cultzeros Luis Fabiano Futbolita Tee
(COMING SOON : Read more interviews & features with and by the chicas & chicos who’ll be celebrating the Fútbolita World Cup with you!)

Oooh, there’s so much controversy surrounding Joana Machado and Adriano! Earlier last week, the Brazilian striker told journalists at a press conference that they are no longer together. Que tática! It’s to get people to leave him alone as he meditates in preparation for the World Cup.

Anyway, earlier this week, she was seen at a children’s shop buying clothes fueling rumours that she is pregnant. “She said she is not pregnant and even laughed at suspicions, saying he has a child of 4 years and it is very normal (for her) to go into that type of store to buy things for him,” said a friend of hers.

Adriano is finally settling down! Of course, compared to fetuses like Pato, his impending marriage to samba dancer (naturally), Joana Machado seems a little unexpected. She’d better be careful, because he was supposed to marry Cassia Menega last year... and look what happened.

Anyway, their wedding is scheduled to take place in Buzios, Rio, in May later this year. Adriano is apparently being overprotective these days and has not allowed Joana to leave the house. She hasn’t even been “to the gym in three months” and “really misses the beach”. O que ela está falando?! Knowing Adriano, it’s not like she isn’t getting any workout in the house…

via Ego

So your favourite Churrascaria King, Adriano, wants you to know that he never used drugs in his life and is annoyed that people are throwing all these unjust accusations at him! Relax, mano… tudo é bom. You know that Senhor Mourinho still keeps your file at home and occasionally sifts through it when he’s not on Skype with Z-Ibracadabra!

“I’ve never used drugs – nothing was ever proven. Suddenly, because I live in the slum, people associate me with it,” he said.

His fiancee, Joana Machado, who made a big fuss about finding him with other Flamengo players in the slum in the wee hours of the morning, was also involved in her own controversy known in Brazil as “episódio Chatuba”. Said Adri : “She was not wrong and she did not assault me. If the person likes you, she wants to take care of you. She was afraid because I did not arrive on the time that was determined.”

via Aracatinet, Globo

So much emotion… havia tanto amor! Even King Churrascaria himself, Adriano, had to choke back his tears after the fans came out to show their support following Flamengo’s win of the Brasileirao Title on Sunday. “I can hardly believe it…I’m remembering all I went through, I don’t even have strength left to celebrate,” said Adriano. “Really, this is a dream, to be a champion again and, above all, to be happy.”

Flamengo came back from a goal down to defeat Gremio 2-1 with goals from David and Ronaldo Angelim. It took 17 years, pessoas... that’s older than Iker Munain‘s entire age.

More than 100,000 fans went crazy at the Maracana – and truth be told, they stole the show. Mengao are very lucky to have some of the most creative fans. These people should be on Project Runway or something. From Barack’s Bro to a dude who looks like a cross between P.Diddy and Flava Flav, they pulled out all the stops to make the finale an occasion to remember!!

Anyway, Adriano has not ruled out a return to Europe next season but he declared that his family has been instrumental in his success at Flamengo. “I’ve had a lot of proposals, I’m not going to lie to anyone about that,” he said.  “But, certainly, what’s important to me today and was always in first place is my happiness. Everything I do from here on will be well thought through,” he said.

Photos via Reuters, AFP

This Flamengo victory reminds me of our amiga, Ana, who is now back in Brazil for the holidays. “Why do you support Sao Paulo? Only geeks support Sao Paulo. Like the fat, white men who wear ties. I love Flamengo… Flamengo is my team!” she once declared. Yes, but we don’t have Churrasco Kings like Adriano and neither do we need to hit every samba school in the nation!

Anyway, the most supported club in Brazil are now one match away from their first Brasileirao title since 1992. After goals from Zé Roberto and Léo Moura in yesterday’s own clasico against Corinthians, they only need to beat Gremio next weekend to secure the trophy. Ah, President Lula must be crying but este é o futebol. Check out the fans below who were all excited about welcoming home their heroes at the airport!

Photos via UOL/Globo

• There was a time… when Farmer Fred was an incredibly promising striker for the selecao. Now, all we’re left with are memories!!! Isto e triste, but at least Hulk’s around these days. Anyway, speaking of Fred, he helped his home side Fluminense to a nice 3-0 victory over Sport last night. Poor Sport, their beauty queen won the title ‘Musa Brasileirao’ this year but their performances on the field have been dismal.
• Sao Paulo was handed a 3-2 defeat in the hands of Botafogo despite goals from Washington and Jorge Wagner. What’s happening tricolor?! They’re supposed to be formidable… or maybe not. Botafogo were the ones who needed it more to prevent themselves from being relegated. “Next week, we will have a tough match. However, enthusiasm will carry on and will help us to keep from the risk of being lowered into the second division,” said their coach Estevam Soares.
• So Adriano had too much barbecued chicken and wasn’t able to help Flamengo in their goaless draw at the Maracana. They wasted their chance to go top of the table (desculpe, the Lords of KFC were at work). Anyway, Kleberson thinks they still have a good chance. “We haven’t lost anything yet, we had to win our last three matches, we didn’t manage that, but we still managed to get one point closer to Sao Paulo,” he declared. In other words, he means “your drumsticks will not work against Adriano”

via Reuters, Globo

• Ok, she’s not playing in the Brasileirao … but Marta still led Santos to the first Female Copa Libertadores victory after a convincing 9-0 win over Universidad de Assunción yesterday. Need we say more?
• Flamengo stunned leaders Palmeiras with a neat 2-0 victory thanks to a double (again) from Dejan Petkovic. Well, Vagner Love (remember him?!) missed a penalty for his new side but apart from that, was highly ineffective throughout the game. Someone also forgot to leave ice-cream cones in Adriano’s locker room. Nevertheless, Palmeiras still lead the table at 54 points followed by Flamengo, Goias and Cruzeiro.
• Elsewhere, Corinthians are continuing the disappoint and they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sport Recife yesterday. Ronaldo, ta me ouvindo??
• In another game, Fluminense and Internacional tied 2-2.

via Globo

Ah, flip flops... you can’t get any more Brazilian than that! De qualquer maneira, there’s been some confusion over at the Flamengo training camp. Apparently, their black slippers are so similiar that everyone ends up wearing the wrong pair after training. The only way around the problem is to place a sticker with players’ shirt number on each pair. That way, everyone goes home happy. Seriously though… did they all decide one day to go shopping for the exact same pair of black slippers?

Interestingly, Adriano doesn’t need stickers to label his flip-flops – his is the only white pair in the whole bunch!

• Botafogo’s fans made a banner teasing Fluminense’s injured striker, Fred in their 0-0 home draw yesterday. The striker has been suffering muscular problems in his thigh and hasn’t played a single match since July 23rd. The banner read : “Hey Vilma, where’s Fred?”.
• He may not have scored against Chile last Wednesday (it was Nilmar’s day, pessoas!) but Adriano scored twice on Saturday to lead Flamengo to a 3-0 victory over Sport Recife at the Maracana. Ok, we’ll stop with the barbecue jokes for now. It’s only fair! (Watch the goals below)
• Palmeiras fell to a 3-2 defeat away to Vitoria at the Barradao stadium, but still remain as the league leaders with 44 points.
• Thankfully, Sao Paulo defeated Avaí 2-0 with goals from Dagoberto and Hugo. Yes, the tricolor are back to winning ways and are now level on 43 points with Internacional.

• Unfortunately Brasileirao’s reigning top scorer, Adriano hasn’t been living up to his name. Instead, the king of churrascarias wasted his chances during Gremio’s 4-1 drubbing of Flamengo yesterday. Goals from Perea, Réver and a double from Jonas chalked up three points for the Gaúchos, who’re now in a better position to secure a spot in the Libertadores. Sorry, Ana…now you can’t make those tricolor jokes at me!
  
• Speaking of Sao Paulo, they’ve extended their winning streak to six games after a 2-1 win over Sport thanks to goals from Washington and Hugggoooooo.
  
• Palmeiras battled to a 1-1 draw against Botafogo who were the first to score in the 23rd minute. Lucio Flavio fed the ball to Andre Lima who blasted it beautifully into the net. [Watch the video below!]
  
• Corinthians, who’re still without the injured Ronaldo, defeated Atletico Mineiro 2-0 at the Pacaembu stadium to end their five-match winless streak. The four-time national champions have not won a game since their 2-1 result against Vitoria on July 23.

via Globo

• Sao Paulo are in the top four of the Brazilian championship after beating Goias 3-1 on Sunday. They’ve won their last five matches and have been unbeaten for the last eight games. Way to go, Tricolor! They started out slow in the early stages of the season and the Libertadores Cup. It’s all smooth now, eh? “The Sao Paulo supporters recognised their team, recognised the football we are delivering and each time I see the Morumbi filling up more,” coach Ricardo said. “It’s been 12 matches in 48 days, in Europe that’s madness.”
• BBQ King Adriano scored his 10th goal of the season to give Flamengo a 1-0 home win over Corinthians in the Maracana. “I missed so many (chances)…I will concentrate more to get it right more,” he said after the game. [See video below]
• Santos drew 2-2 with Avaí. They threw away their early lead, and despite fielding Neymar in the later part of the game, they were unable to get all 3 points. Somewhere, you know Pele is rolling his eyes. Elsewhere, Vitória also managed a 2-2 draw against Fluminense
• Coritiba has sacked their coach Rene Simoes after their 3-1 home defeat in the hands of Cruzeiro. They now lie in 18th place and Rene is the 24th coach to lose his job in the championship this season.

What a miracle! Someone actually thinks that Joel Santana speaks good English… (!!!!) but then again, she was his ‘official translator’ at the Confederations Cup – so you can excuse her.

Yes, meet Desiree Queiroz, whose father Tita once played for Vasco, Flamengo and the selecao. She’s probably the only one in Brazil who thinks Joel Santana’s English is audible and good.

“I was very happy to see Joel speaking English at all interviews, the people wanted (to hear him speak it) and he (picked it up),” she said.

“Joel (did his) job with great honor and hard work. During the Confederations Cup, he showed that he was the best person for the job. Fans loved and believed in Joel. The press was very pleased with the work that the technical committee did. Anyone who witnessed the departure saw that there was a big change and it was a beautiful game to watch.”

Photo via globo

Adriano aka the Favela and Barbecue King has been wearing jerseys with the numbers 29, 27, 92, 90 and 100 since his return to Flamengo in April. But from today, he’ll finally get to wear the all-important number 9 shirt after an Internet poll was conducted among the club’s fans. Well, he can wear #9 at Flamengo but the prospect of wearing the same shirt under Dunga… impossível!

In other news, Flamengo and Corinthians are slated to play a friendly match in Palestine in September as a peace initiative promoted by the Brazilian government. Well, you know Lula. All he needs to do is to send a Brazilian player to various countries and everything will be solved. Oh, if only it were that easy!

Barbecue king, Adriano, celebrated his ‘return’ to football by scoring in Flamengo’s 2-1 victory over Atlético-PR yesterday. To be quite honest, even our 2 year old cousin would’ve been able to score a goal like that as well. The commentator went delirious – and out of breath. If Adriano hadn’t converted, it would’ve been a disaster.

Anyway, he still has time to practise his shots. After all, he ain’t part of Dopey’s Brasil squad that will meet later today.

In other games, Paulo Henrique Lima scored goal for Santos as they thrashed Corinthians 3-1. And finally, three-time defending champions Sao Paulo enjoyed their first win of the tournament by hammering Cruzeiro 3-0 at the Morumbi. Ah – about time, eh tipos?!

Adriano aka Favela StrikeForce has announced his desire to play for the selecao – if Dopey and Jorginho decide to call him up again.

“For friendship’s sake, I hope that Ronaldo gets called up again. The Brazilian selection is important, but I have to work hard to return. I already spoke to Jorginho and Dunga. I will do everything to make that happen as soon as possible. The doors are still open,” he said.

Who is he kidding? Here’s what we really think!

How nice of Julio César to remember his friend, Adriano, during such a glorious occasion! We almost feel bad for making fun of the Fallen Striker.

As soon as the Inter-Siena match ended yesterday (a nice 3-0 scoreline in favour of the Serie A champs) the players did a victory parade around the San Siro. Mancini and Balotelli also wore “Adriano” shirts, which they must’ve taken from the storeroom when no one was looking. And you know Uncle Fester Galliani tried to gatecrash the event but was promptly stopped at the door. 

Anyway, when he wasn’t sulking or getting wasted at a samba party, Adriano had his rare moments of brilliance. And although many at Inter may not want to acknowledge it, his goals helped their Serie A campaign this season, especially the one against Milan in February. So the tribute was certainly a nice welcome.

Thunder Thighs Roberto Carlos may be heading back to Flamengo after falling out with his current club, Fenerbahçe.  Everyone’s favorite Brazilian uncle asked for a termination after the club failed to pay his wages for five months, according to an O Globo columnist.

Well, if he returns to Brazil, he’ll join Adriano and it’ll just be like watching the veterans! And if you’ve missed Adriano check out these photos of him swimming at a beach in Rio. Please make sure that you have swallowed your lunch properly before clicking.

Anyway, we wonder why it’s Flamengo, of all clubs, though for Uncle Carlos. He started out at Palmeiras - surely he’d like to see the remainder of his career there?

Yes, that photo best describes our thoughts on Adriano at present. So many questions! What has happened to the man in the last few months? And more importantly, why is he enjoying life on the Football Trainwreck path? If wanted to wear Red and Black stripes so badly, he was obviously playing for the wrong club in Milan!

Anyway, Adriano was officially unveiled by Flamengo yesterday and a party – likened to a 4-year-old’s birthday bash – was thrown to welcome him back. He also joins the likes of Fred and Ronaldo in returning to the Brazilian league.

“I always liked to laugh, to play, for fun. That was not happening in Italy. And as soon as I returned to Brazil, it did not take long for me to go back to being happy,” he said at the press conference. “I came to (the place) where I was created. I returned to Brazil to try to regain my happiness. I always wanted to return to Flamengo and there’s nothing better than being with those we like.”

“My grandmother is the one responsible for me being here today. She and my family. When I joined the club today, I felt like I was 7 again. It was the age I started playing here,” he added.

That really is a photo of Adriano on a scooter taken in Rio three years ago. And as we expected, the Emperor of Samba Dancers will be formally announced as a Flamengo player today.

The club’s board has promised a “big party for the arrival of the player” and the marketing department has even arranged activities such as (selling) commemorative shirts, among other products. At about 4pm, Adriano will meet the fans in the stadium – akin to the Ronaldo/Corinthians “introduction party” last year. They had better invite the Vila Isabel or Grande Rio samba schools to the party or all hell will break loose!

Surprisingly, Flamengo’s president, Marcio Braga, seems a little apprehensive about the whole thing, saying news of the striker’s arrival had been more of a ‘surprise’ than anything else. However, a “new contract with a sponsor” has ensured that Adriano’s expenses and salary will be covered sufficiently. Ah, how convenient indeed!