Did PM Modi Arrive in Rio de Janeiro for the BRICS Summit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi arrives in Rio de Janeiro for the BRICS Summit.
- The visit highlights India's diplomatic engagement with Brazil.
- Maracanã Stadium is a symbol of Brazil's rich football culture.
- Flamengo is a leading football club with a massive following.
- Cultural pride and sports intertwine in Rio.
Rio de Janeiro, July 6 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has touched down in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday as part of his four-day journey to Brazil, where he is set to engage in the 17th BRICS Summit and conduct a state visit at the invitation of President Lula.
This visit represents the fourth segment of his five-nation expedition. Upon his arrival at Galeao International Airport, he was honored with a ceremonial reception.
Expressing his sentiments on social media, the Prime Minister posted on X, “Just landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where I will participate in the BRICS Summit and proceed to the capital, Brasília, for a state visit upon the invitation of President Lula. Looking forward to fruitful discussions and interactions during this trip.”
While diplomacy took the spotlight, the fervor for football that characterizes Rio was vividly evident. The city, renowned for its lively football culture, is home to one of the world's most legendary sporting venues — the Maracana Stadium.
Originally constructed for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, this stadium once accommodated over 200,000 spectators and was the venue for the unforgettable 1950 World Cup final, where Brazil faced a shocking defeat to Uruguay in a match famously referred to as the Maracanazo.
Flamengo is a Brazilian multi-sports club situated in the Gávea neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, best recognized for its professional football team. Established in 1895 as a rowing club in the Flamengo neighborhood, the club did not play its inaugural official football match until 1912.
Flamengo is one of only two clubs, alongside Sao Paulo FC, to have never faced relegation from the top tier and is the most beloved football club in Brazil, boasting over 46.9 million fans.
The team's classic uniform features red and black striped shirts, white shorts, and red and black striped socks, with their home matches typically held at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. Since 1969, the club's mascot has been the vulture (urubu in Portuguese).
A young local footballer shared his pride in both his team and the historic stadium with IANS: “Maracanã is immense, truly impressive. Yes, and Flamengo is the greatest team in Brazil.”
Another young footballer remarked, “Flamengo is one of the largest clubs in Brazil, and I believe it’s the best. They are incredibly strong, many teams fear them. Regarding the stadium? It’s stunning. It feels like home to me. It’s vast, and I love it.”