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Flamengo Regatta Club has just been nominated for the Ballon d’Or Men’s Club of the year award, following a run of successes that includes the Carioca Championship, the Brazilian Championship and, of course, the Copa Libertadores – making it the only Brazilian club to have won the tournament four times.
It is a historic moment: Flamengo is the only non-European club nominated for the award this year.
To mark the occasion, a number of Flamengo players and members of the coaching staff spoke about this landmark moment.
The 32-year-old Uruguayan star Giorgian de Arrascaeta has been at the club since 2019 and was the team’s top scorer in 2025, with 25 goals.
“I’m incredibly grateful.” – Giorgian de Arrascaeta
He acknowledges the significance of Flamengo’s nomination for the award: “It’s recognition on a global scale. It’s a huge privilege, and I believe every fan should feel proud of the club. We’ve been representing the club as best we can, but to be in the running for awards of this magnitude is, I believe, something almost unimaginable. And I say this as a player and, even more so, as a fan: I’m incredibly grateful.” (Flamengo – Instagram)
Two other players who spoke about the honour were the 35-year-old Brazilian defender Danilo and the 31-year-old Spanish midfielder Saúl Ñíguez. Danilo joined Flamengo in January 2025, after terminating his contract with Juventus, whilst Saúl was signed in July of that year, arriving from Atlético Madrid after spending the previous season on loan at Sevilla.
“It’s a source of great pride.” – Danilo
Danilo spoke about the significance of the nomination and how it represents a period of hard work and achievements for the Rio de Janeiro-based team: “I think that when I was invited to join Flamengo, it was precisely for this reason: to carry out a project that goes far beyond just football in Brazil – to expand the reach of the Flamengo brand, making our work visible on a day-to-day basis, far beyond simply how much playing time we get on the pitch or not. So, for us, it’s a source of great pride. It’s satisfying to see the Flamengo emblem represented in such a huge, important venue – serving as a benchmark for other clubs and other initiatives.” (Flamengo – Instagram)
The centre-back etched his name forever into Flamengo’s history in 2025 by scoring the winning header in the Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras. Arrascaeta provided the assist with a well-placed corner.
“It means we’re doing things right, that we mustn’t lose our way and that we have to carry on like this” – Saúl Ñíguez
Saúl didn’t take to the pitch in that match, but he was nonetheless a hugely important signing for the club last year, bringing his experience to bolster the midfield. He is also delighted that Flamengo has been nominated for the ‘Ballon d’Or’ award: “It’s very important for everyone. It means the club is doing things right, that it is laying the foundations, not just for the present, but also for Flamengo’s future. And I believe this is positive for everyone – for the club, the supporters, the coaching staff and the players alike. Being among the nominees for the ‘Ballon d’Or’ as a club is very important and means we’re doing things right; we mustn’t lose our way and we have to carry on like this, because we want more.” (Flamengo – Instagram)
"I’d like to congratulate everyone who has helped the club reach this level." – Leonardo Jardim
Leonardo Jardim took over as the club’s manager in March 2026, replacing Filipe Luís, who has since become manager of Monaco in France. Jardim has continued the excellent work of his predecessor and also took the time to speak about the collective achievement that the club’s nomination represents: “Being amongst the best and being shortlisted for the Club of the Season award is a recognition that carries great weight in the world of football. Certainly, for me, as manager, it is a huge source of satisfaction to be working for Flamengo at this moment. I would like to congratulate everyone who, across the various departments, has helped the club reach this level. It is international recognition of the work carried out at Flamengo and also sends an extremely strong message to our supporters, letting them know that our club is one of the most prominent in the world. For me, it is a source of great pride to be part of this.” (GE)
Flamengo are now looking to make history once again and become the first South American club to win this prestigious award.
“For a South American club to be nominated for this award is an honour for all of us who work here in Flamengo’s football department.” – José Boto
But whilst victory is, of course, the ultimate goal, the club’s director of football, José Boto, emphasised that the nomination itself is already a major achievement: “For a South American club to be nominated for this award is an honour for all of us who work here in Flamengo football. It is an honour for President Bap’s current board, and it is also an honour that is down to the work of Filipe Luís and, now, to our work here – all of us, those who are in the spotlight, but also those who remain behind the scenes and who ensure that Flamengo today meets the standards of a European club. The fact that we have been nominated is in itself a prize for the club.” (GE)
Four other clubs are competing with Flamengo for this year’s award: Arsenal (England), Bayern Munich (Germany), Bodø/Glimt (Norway) and Paris Saint-Germain (France).
Who will take the honours?
We’ll find out at the ceremony in London on 26 October.
