• Former Fluminense centre-forward Washington remains a club legend
• He overcame a heart problem to lead Flu to Brazil league title in 2010
• The 50-year-old spoke to FIFA about his career and Club World Cup

“Braveheart, he fights for the Tricolor, Washington knows how to score!”

Sing these words to any Fluminense FC fan and watch the nostalgia take hold as they ignite memories of Washington – the legendary “Braveheart” who fuelled the Tricolor’s dreams of glory in the early 2000s. His eye for goal was strong; his fight for life – and for football – stronger still.

With the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ on the horizon, the nickname given to the former striker during his playing days could serve as inspiration for the club in the maiden edition of FIFA’s new club competition.

“Giving up is not in our vocabulary – mine or Fluminense’s. They’re truly a team of warriors who never give up," Washington told FIFA. "I’ve seen that first-hand. The club are about to face a huge test at the Club World Cup; they recently changed coaches [with Renato Portaluppi coming back in to replace Mano Menezes] and are still adjusting to that change, but they will give everything they’ve got to go as far as they can in the tournament."