RIO DE JANEIRO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- New Flamengo signing Everton Soares said Thursday that he returns to Brazil a more complete footballer after a two-year spell in Europe.
The 26-year-old exuded enthusiasm as he faced Rio de Janeiro's media for the first time since his 13.5 million-euro move from Portuguese club Benfica.
"It's a big responsibility to wear the Flamengo shirt," Everton said. "I'm a more complete player. In European football you end up seeing the game differently. I believe this is going to help me in my return [to Brazilian football]."
Despite rarely being deployed in his customary left-wing position, Soares scored 15 goals and provided 17 assists in 95 appearances for Benfica following his August 2020 move from Gremio.
"Everyone knows where I'm used to playing. Prior to joining Benfica, I'd scored a lot of goals as a winger. I wasn't used to the new [central] role, but it was a learning experience and I was able to develop the defensive side of my game."
Everton, who has been capped 25 times for Brazil, will be tied to Flamengo until the end of 2026. While his main focus is to win trophies for Flamengo, he has not given up on the possibility of regaining his place in Brazil's national team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
"The last two seasons didn't pan out as I'd imagined but I've improved a lot," he said. "Now I just want to concentrate on Flamengo. Whether I can get back into the national team will depend on my performances here." ■
