Zinho had audio leaked saying he supported Fluminense in conversation with Marcelo
Created by Flamengo and two-time Brazilian champion for the club, Zinho is known by many fans as a fanatical rubro-negro. However, the four-time world champion surprised the nation when an audio was leaked saying “I’m tricolor” in the Libertadores final, won by Fluminense. The former player was interviewing full-back Marcelo when he made the confession. However, the current commentator opened up about the situation.
— Ah…everyone knows that I am Flamengo. I joined Flamengo when I was 11 years old. I left Nova Iguaçu by train, the Japeri was full at the age of 11 and my mother wouldn’t let me go. I left Nova Iguaçu in the dark, at 4:30 in the morning to be in Gávea at 7 am. I took the train, dropped off at Central do Brasil to catch the 172 which was a bus to get to Gávea to pursue a dream, try to be a football player — said Zinho, in an interview with the podcast ‘Fala, João’, by narrator João Guilherme.
On that occasion, after Fluminense’s title, Zinho interviewed Marcelo. The commentator was ‘off air’, but his voice ended up being captured by the ‘ESPN’ microphone. Then, the ex-Flamengo player surprised and said to the full-back: “Dude, I’m tricolor”. On the other hand, the experienced athlete was scared: “And even? Dude%$#. I’m your big fan”.
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Much criticized by Flamengo fans on social media, since the Libertadores final, on November 4th, Zinho revealed why he supported Fluminense against Boca Juniors (ARG). According to the former player, the ‘anti-Argentina’ issue was essential to the Rio team’s desire for victory.
— It was an unnecessary controversy. I spoke in Marcelo’s ear, it went viral and I heard a lot of insults. Social media is like that today, unfortunately. It’s a vehicle, an important, legal channel, but there are a lot of people spouting hate, they don’t wait to know what happened and draw their conclusions. ‘Ah, the guy is Fluminense, tricolor. He said it was tricolor’. I spoke and I was actually supporting Fluminense against Boca Juniors — Zinho continued.
— Firstly, I was there as a commentator and it’s not that I don’t like…it’s not that I don’t like Argentines. I played a lot against the Argentines and I know what the rivalry is like and I still have it today. Many people supported Argentina in the World Cup. I respect your decision. ‘Ah, Messi never won a World Cup’. I wanted him to continue without winning. It could be any team playing against Boca Juniros, I would support it. I was a tricolor there, it’s a Brazilian club that I care about — concluded Zinho.
ZINHO TITLE BY FLAMENGO
Despite the controversy, the player’s name is engraved in Flamengo’s history. In addition to the Brazilian titles, in 1987 and 1992, Zinho won the Copa do Brasil with Rubro-Negro. Furthermore, the four-time world champion won the Rio de Janeiro titles in 1986, 1991 and 2004. However, the biggest trophy of his career came in 1994, with the World Cup for the Brazilian team.
