Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, where he is expected to sign a contract with Flamengo until the end of 2023.
“I am happy to be here (…) We are talking,” Vidal told reporters at the airport, where he was received this afternoon by representatives of the club and dozens of fans of the team from Rio de Janeiro who were waiting for him with flags and chants.
The 35-year-old Vidal, a star of the Chilean national team, was being disputed by the Brazilian club and Argentinean Boca Juniors while negotiating with Inter Milan, with whom he has a contract until June 2023, to become a free agent.
But a few days ago it was decided that his destination would be Flamengo.
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Upon stepping on Rio de Janeiro soil, Vidal said he would attend the match between Flamengo and Colombia’s Deportes Tolima at the Maracanã on Wednesday night, worth qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.
“I’m going to watch the game as a fan. I hope they qualify,” said the Chilean, who will wear the shirt of a South American team for the first time after 15 years playing in Europe.
This Thursday, according to media reports, he will undergo medical tests and then travel to Italy to end his ties with Inter.
Vidal played in the South Africa-2010 and Brazil-2014 World Cups with Chile and was one of the highlights of the ‘golden generation’ that won two Copa America (2015 and 2016). The midfielder will only be able to make his debut for the rubro-negro team from July 18, when the Brazilian soccer registration window opens.
