Marlon, a football bricklayer, captain of Botafogo who champions South American football: "As Brazilians, we have to play with joy."

Marlon Freitas (Rio de Janeiro, 1995) is a football builder, and not as a pejorative characteristic, but quite the opposite. Through him, the surprising Botafogo team is being built, which is on the verge of advancing to the next round in Group B, which it currently faces with Atlético Madrid, who face them tonight; PSG, the current European champions; and the Seattle Sounders. Two wins out of two for the current team, winners of the Brazilian league and the Copa Libertadores. Before the Club World Cup began, no one expected the power of the South American teams, but, two rounds later, European giants are getting unpleasant surprises. Simeone's team, moreover, is on the brink of elimination.

"I've been following Atlético for a while. I like their philosophy. They know how to play and always have a high level of intensity on the pitch," begins the Botafogo captain, who is a great admirer of Diego Simeone , saying that "his mere presence serves to motivate the players." But while Cholo 's Atlético come into this final matchday needing three goals or more against the Brazilians, the latter, provided PSG win their duel against the weak Seattle, only have to protect John Víctor 's goal, something they did perfectly against the French team.

In a joint interview with several international media outlets, including EL MUNDO, Marlon says the key to this Botafogo team is that they are "a family." "No one asked us if we wanted to be here; we achieved it through our own efforts, and we want to take advantage of this opportunity with great joy and unity, enjoying ourselves as a family. That's the key word, because you can't win games with 11 players; you need 30," the player explains, referring to a maxim they have demonstrated in this championship.

"gain trust"

Marlon doesn't just say this; for him, it has a very important connotation. Just six months ago, when he was crowned Libertadores champion, the Brazilian broke down in the locker room in tribute to his father. "I don't know if I deserve this. Thank you, Dad. Everything we've been through together, this moment was supposed to come. You taught me to be honest, to never give up. This is for you. I did it, Dad. We did it," he said through tears. His father had passed away in 2017, when the midfielder was still with Fluminense, where he began his career.

Although he played most of his career in Brazil, he also spent time on loan in Slovakia and the United States. "I was very young and I made the most of that opportunity," he explains of his time with Fort Lauderdale, the B team of Inter Miami in the MLS. "Returning to the United States to play in this great tournament makes me very happy. It's not only a great opportunity for me, but also for the club and the squad, as well as for the fans," the player says.

The first match served to "gain confidence," but it's the victory against PSG that has given them the morale to achieve greater goals. "Football is always 11 against 11, and of course qualifying for the next round is a dream, but we're used to dreaming big," reveals a great admirer of Vitinha , whom he highlights as one of the best players in this tournament. "He's a very talented player. The dynamic he brings to the game is incredible. I've followed him throughout my career because we play in the same position, and it's different," he praises.

Marlon champions Brazilian football in this Club World Cup, the most represented with four teams competing: Botafogo, Fluminense, Palmeiras, and Flamengo. "We are Brazilians, and as such, we have to compete with joy. We have to enjoy the moment and also understand our responsibility because the competition is going to be very difficult," he notes about the teams leading Groups A, B, D, and F, a surprise and a coup in this FIFA championship.

Although if he had to define his team, of which he is captain, he would perhaps describe it as a team that "never gives up" and always "supports each other in solidarity." "We dream, we want to make history, and we want to win the Club World Cup," the player notes about the aspirations of the team from a Rio de Janeiro neighborhood that just five seasons ago was in the Second Division. "We've achieved it with hard work, seriousness, and dedication, and with the advantage that everyone is eager to help," he explains, just a step away from the round of 16 of the Club World Cup.