On Mengocast, on FlamengoTV, Joaquín Freitas speaks about adapting to Rio, leaving River Plate and the race for the Brasileirão

Joaquín Freitas, Flamengo's 19-year-old attacker, arrived at the club from River Plate in Argentina. Wearing number 30 for Rubro-Negro, he has already made his Maracanã debut with an assist and featured in the Copa Libertadores against Estudiantes in La Plata. As the Brasileirão reaches its closing stages, Flamengo hold a three-point advantage in the table, according to the player himself.

"The decision was very difficult for me," Freitas told host João Guilherme on Mengocast, FlamengoTV's programme. The attacker explained what it was like to leave his parents' home and the club where he grew up.

"I was very young, had never lived alone—it was a whole new world for me. I had to talk a lot with my family and my close circle about what they thought, and they saw it positively. At first, you're a bit afraid of how things will unfold, but when I arrived and saw the human quality that exists here at the club, I felt very calm, and so did my family," Freitas said.

Leaving Argentina carried emotional weight. The player made his final River Plate appearance in a draw against Banfield away from home, and recounts how the farewell began in the dressing room.

"I went to the bench in my last game for River before coming here, against Banfield away, and already in the dressing room I don't know why I was very emotional that day. It was a drastic change, and I was already crying in the dressing room about what lay ahead. After the match I met up with my family and my mates, and I spent almost the whole night crying. It was the drastic change and also heading into the unknown, which sometimes intimidates you. But I knew it would work out," he said.

Freitas says his family remains in Argentina but visits Rio frequently. His girlfriend has been with him recently, and according to the attacker, the plan is for her to move to Brazil only next year. Regarding his routine in the city, he says he hasn't yet enjoyed the beaches due to overcast, rainy weather.

"I think it was the people. They're very friendly, always in good spirits and have great energy. That's what surprised me most: they're very attentive to helping if you need anything. That's what pleased me most, aside of course from the beaches and all that, which are beautiful to look at," he explained.

Among his squad-mates, the attacker singles out Spanish-speaking players as those who have helped him most with his adaptation, both on and off the pitch. He says he spends more of his daily time with Uruguayans, including Arrascaeta, as well as Varela, Saúl and Nico.

Freitas also spoke about those he trains alongside. He says they all have very high technical level and highlights Carrascal, Pedro, Arrascaeta and Jorginho. On the centre-forward, he says he is learning from his team-mate's play.

"Pedro is an attacker of extraordinary quality, with many strengths and many ways to resolve play. When he needs to drop back to build, he does. When he needs to stay between the centre-backs, he does, and he's always in the box to score goals, which is what he does best. I try to copy him, try to see those good things and take them into my own game, and I'm learning a lot from him," he added.

Freitas also mentioned training and dining alongside Lionel Messi, whom he calls his idol for life.

"It was mad. Having my idol for life so close, sharing training sessions, dinners and day-to-day life with him—I made the most of it. He's out of the ordinary. He's exactly as you see on television: it looks so simple, so humble, and that's how he is. On the pitch, he does whatever he wants. For me, he's the greatest of all time, and I was privileged to be able to spend time with him," Freitas said.

On Flamengo's current position, the attacker says the Brasileirão is a priority and almost an obligation for the club following their Copa Libertadores exit. For him, the squad approaches the competition's final stages with calm.

"I think it's the priority, and it's almost an obligation for the club to win the Brasileirão after, unfortunately, being knocked out of the Copa. We have a three-point advantage. We need to stay calm, knowing that it depends on us. If we do the work that has been done throughout the year, we have a very good chance of being champions. It's game by game, without desperation, without letting the anxiety of wanting to be champion get to us," Freitas said.

For him, the domestic title would hold personal significance, and the Libertadores would remain the bigger objective in Rubro-Negro colours. Freitas also highlighted the support of the fans, which surprised him from the moment he arrived in Rio.

"It would be something beautiful. It would be my first title in my professional career, in my first season. We desire it greatly and always dream of those nights, of winning titles, of achieving things," he concluded.

He also appealed for support from the Nação during the campaign's final stretch.

"I want to thank everyone for all the support since I arrived at the club. They've made me feel great, and I ask, please, that you stay with us in this final stretch, because together we have to win the Brasileirão, which is what we all hope for and want. That way we celebrate together at the end of the year," Freitas finished.