Flamengo‘s New President Criticizes Landim’s Decision on Number 10 shirt
In a bold move that has stirred controversy, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, the newly elected president of Flamengo, criticized the decision by outgoing president Rodolfo Landim to assign the iconic number 10 shirt to Giorgian De Arrascaeta.Baptista argues that this decision, made at a critical time, has cost the club millions of reais.
A Missed Chance
Before officially taking office, Baptista addressed journalists, expressing his concerns about the timing of the decision. He believes that Flamengo missed a lucrative opportunity by not capitalizing on Arrascaeta’s popularity sooner. “Two years ago, I proposed that arrascaeta should wear number 10,” Baptista explained. “I suggested that this could lead to selling a million shirts. we should have had Arrascaeta’s number 10 shirts available in stores across Brazil.”
The Consequences
Baptista estimates that Flamengo lost between 10 to 12 million reais due to the mishandling of this transition. “There were no size L shirts available, and stores were unaware of the change,” he lamented. “It’s amateurish and a waste of potential revenue. As a fan, I believe Arrascaeta deserves the number 10, but the execution was flawed.”
The Background
The saga began in May when Gabigol was stripped of the number 10 shirt after being photographed at a barbecue wearing a corinthians shirt. The board, led by vice-president Marcos Braz, decided to remove the emblematic number from Gabigol as a form of punishment. The number remained unassigned until December, when Arrascaeta expressed his intention to take it in 2025. However, Landim accelerated the process, handing over the mantle to Arrascaeta last Monday.
Landim’s Final Act
This decision marks Landim’s last act as Flamengo’s president, as Baptista officially takes over on Wednesday. Baptista, who will lead the club through the 2025-2027 period, is steadfast to rectify what he sees as a costly oversight.
What’s Next for Flamengo?
as Baptista steps into his new role, he faces the challenge of maximizing the club’s commercial potential. His focus will be on ensuring that future decisions align with both the club’s financial goals and its passionate fanbase. With a clear vision for Flamengo’s future, Baptista is poised to steer the club towards greater success both on and off the field.
