Flamengo soak in fans’ appreciation ahead of Copa Libertadores final

Rio de Janeiro, Oct 26 (EFE).- Flamengo’s players and coaches received an enthusiastic send-off Wednesday from hundreds of fans before boarding a flight to Ecuador, where they will square off in this weekend’s Copa Libertadores final against fellow Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense.

The charter flight from Rio de Janeiro’s Galaeo International Airport to Guayaquil took off at 10.35 am.

Hundreds of fans accompanied the Rio club from their headquarters on Borges de Medeiros Ave. to the airport, where another large group of supporters singing songs and setting off fireworks awaited them.

A caravan of fans riding in cars and motorcycles and Military Police vehicles escorted the two buses transporting the Flamengo delegation to the airport.

Fans dressed in the club’s scarlet and black and waving Flamengo flags had waited since the early morning hours in different parts of Rio de Janeiro.

The send-off for Brazil’s most popular club, which is seeking to win the Copa Libertadores – South American soccer’s answer to the Champions League – for the third time, was more subdued on this occasion because it took place on a work day.

The club also booked two other charter flights to transport club officials and members and family members. One will depart on Wednesday and the other on Saturday, the day of the final at Guayaquil’s Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo.

Joining their teammates on Wednesday’s flight were experienced Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal and Brazilian midfielder Thiago Maia, who were cleared to play on Monday by Flamengo’s medical staff. EFE

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