De La Cruz says he is inspired by meeting Zico at Flamengo

The Uruguayan midfielder De La Cruz was officially presented as reinforcement of the Flamengo this Friday (12). Despite this, he had already been attending Ninho do Urubu since Wednesday, a remarkable day for him, as he was brightened by a meeting with Zico, Brazilian football legend and Flamengo fans’ greatest idol. At the press conference, the 26-year-old player said that contact with “Galinho” was inspiring.

“The first day I arrived they told me that Zico was here to welcome me. They asked me if I knew him and I said it was obvious that I did. I know who he is, I know what he did for football Brazilian, I know what he means to the club. It was a huge surprise that he knew me and knew about my story. He’s such an important person, that gives me a lot of desire to achieve individual and group achievements”, he stated.

During the interview, however, the midfielder didn’t just talk about good experiences. He had to answer a question about the defeat he suffered against Flamengo in the 2019 Libertadores final, when he was still a River Plate player. “I don’t like losing anything, especially a Libertadores final. The feeling was of disappointment, we prepared to win the Libertadores, but we didn’t. It was a close match,” he said.

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Regarding the choice to leave River and come to the red-black club, he stated that the long contract and the project presented by the club were essential to make him safe. “I made the decision some time ago with my family, I felt that the club wanted me and that for me was fundamental. The project they presented to me was important, a contract lasting many years; I wanted a long contract because it will make me gain a lot of things I have a life plan, I have my children, and I want to be close to home”, he commented.

The Uruguayan’s contract with Flamengo runs until 2028. De La Cruz was revealed by Uruguay’s Liverpool. Since 2017, he was at River Plate, for which he became Libertadores champion in 2018. In 2022, he played in the World Cup in Qatar, alongside his now club-mate Giorgian De Arrascaeta. In the squad, Flamengo also has a third Uruguayan, right-back Guillermo Varela.