Rio de Janeiro, June 2: Flamengo’s Uruguayan stars Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Nicolas de la Cruz and Guillermo Varela are preparing to carry their strong club partnership onto the international stage as Uruguay gears up for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Having forged a close friendship during their time together at Brazilian giants Flamengo, the trio will now seek to help Uruguay make a deep run in football’s biggest tournament after experiencing disappointment at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The bond between the three players extends far beyond the football pitch. Despite being thousands of kilometres away from their homeland, the Uruguay internationals have managed to recreate a sense of home in Rio de Janeiro through shared traditions, family gatherings and a strong cultural connection.
Midfielder Nicolas de la Cruz said the friendship among the trio had developed steadily over the years through national team camps and their time together at Flamengo.
“We already knew each other from the national team and have built a great relationship both on and off the field. We hope this World Cup will be different from 2022 and that we can go further in the competition,” De la Cruz said.
Uruguay suffered a disappointing group-stage exit at the Qatar World Cup despite entering the tournament with high expectations. The South American side will now look to make amends in North America.For attacking midfielder De Arrascaeta, having fellow Uruguayans alongside him at club level has played an important role in preserving their identity and culture abroad.
“It is always special to have teammates from your own country. It helps keep your traditions alive and creates a unique connection,” he said.De Arrascaeta was the first of the three to join Flamengo in 2019 and quickly established himself as one of the club’s most influential players. During his time in Rio, he has become one of the most decorated footballers in Flamengo’s history, sharing the record for most titles won with club legend Bruno Henrique.
The arrival of Varela in 2022 strengthened the Uruguayan presence at Flamengo. Their friendship dates back more than a decade to Uruguay’s run to the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2013.Varela recalled how their relationship has evolved through the years.
“I first met Arrascaeta with the Uruguay Under-20 team, and later got to know Nico through the senior national side. Our friendship has only grown stronger since we became teammates at Flamengo,” he said.All three players represented Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, while De Arrascaeta and Varela had also featured at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
When De la Cruz completed his move from Argentine club River Plate to Flamengo in 2024, he already had familiar faces waiting to help him settle into life in Brazil.
“Even before I arrived, they were telling me about the city, the club and the lifestyle. They helped me and my family adapt quickly and made us feel welcome from the very beginning,” De la Cruz said.
Away from football, the trio regularly gather with friends and family to enjoy traditional Uruguayan customs. Barbecues, maté and card games remain important parts of their lives as they seek to maintain a connection with their roots while living abroad.According to De Arrascaeta, those moments away from the spotlight play a significant role in keeping the group united.
“We always try to spend time together with our families. Those traditions are important because they remind us of home,” he said.
Their close relationship has also been reflected in Flamengo’s recent successes. The trio played key roles as the Brazilian club captured the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores title, further strengthening their status among South America’s elite players.Following the triumph, as has become customary, the three Uruguayans celebrated with their national flag alongside the trophy, symbolising their pride in representing their country even while competing at club level.
Now, their focus has shifted to the World Cup, where Uruguay will face Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde and Spain in Group H.Despite the difficult challenge ahead, the Flamengo contingent believes the chemistry developed at club level could prove beneficial for Uruguay’s campaign.
De Arrascaeta said it was always special to share the national team dressing room with familiar faces from Flamengo, including former teammate Matias Vina.
“We have a very good relationship and we all share the same dream of achieving something special with Uruguay,” he said.
For De Arrascaeta and Varela, the upcoming tournament will mark their third World Cup appearance. Varela admitted that the 2026 edition is likely to be his final opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
“It will probably be my last World Cup, so I want to enjoy every moment. Our goal is to take Uruguay as far as possible. It will not be easy, but nothing is impossible in football,” Varela said.
As Uruguay prepares for another World Cup challenge, the friendship and understanding developed by Flamengo’s Uruguayan trio could become one of the team’s greatest strengths in its pursuit of global success. (Agencies)
