GOODBYE? FLAMENGO PREPARES TERMINATION OF A CONTRACT WITH DEFENDER

In an interview given after the defeat of Flamengoto Peñarol, 1-0, coach Tite was direct in responding to the boos received by the fans. The statement, marked by a frank tone, exposed the coach's pragmatic vision in relation to demanding fans and the pressure for results. “I respect the fans’ feelings. Of course I feel that (the boos), I'm human”, said Tite, recognizing the fans' frustration in the face of the setback.

Tite's speech reveals that he understands the role of fans as a fundamental part in the context of a club, especially in a team of great expression like Flamengo. By mentioning that the boos affect him as a human being, the coach demonstrates empathy, but does not fail to highlight that the only way to reverse this situation is with achievements on the field. “It can only be reversed in one way”, pointed out the coach.

The response reflects the experience of Titein dealing with pressure who follows the command of great teams in Brazilian football. With successful spells at clubs such as Corinthians, Grêmio and the Brazilian national team itself, the coach has a track record that puts him in a position to understand, perhaps like few others, the relationship between performance on the field and fans' expectations. For him, this connection is clear: “Do you know how to win fans? Do you know how I won over the fans of the other clubs I played for? Win an important title”, he declared.

The phrase highlights the centrality of titles in football, especially in mass clubs like Flamengo. In Brazil, the culture of results is intense, and Tite recognizes that fans have a limited tolerance for negative results. Winning titles, for him, is the key to gaining the support of the fans, and anything other than that results in discontent: “If not, bye.”

This last part of Tite's speech summarizes the characteristic impatience of demanding fans like Flamengo. The coach makes it clear that, without obtaining relevant trophies, the relationship with the fans deteriorates quickly. The pressure is constant and is part of the daily life of those who take on the leadership of top teams. Tite seems, however, to be aware of this scenario and how it needs to be faced.

Tite's statement came after a delicate moment for Flamengo. The defeat to Peñarol, at home, in a group stage match of the Copa Libertadores, raised alarm bells for fans and the coaching staff. Flamengo had high expectations for the season, especially after major reinforcements and the arrival of Tite, a coach with wide recognition on the national and international scene.

The pressure on Flamengo is nothing new. The club, which has one of the biggest fans in the world, is known for its high expectations for titles. The expensive squad, made up of renowned players, also increases this demand. Each stumble is widely covered by the media and amplifies the dissatisfaction of part of the fans, who demand immediate results.

The Copa Libertadores, in particular, has a important meaning for Flamengo and its fans. The continental tournament is seen as one of the club's main objectives each season. Any result other than victory can generate dissatisfaction and pressure on the technical committee, as occurred after the setback against Peñarol.

In this context, Tite's speech not only recognizes the fans' dissatisfaction, but also is realistic in relation to what is expected from a club like Flamengo. The demand for titles is part of the package when taking over a club of this size, and the coach seems to be aware of this when he points out that he will only be able to win the support of the fans with significant victories.

David Luiz recently completed three years at Flamengo and does not hide the identification he created with the club during this period. After 14 years in Europe, he defines the current period as one of the best of his career. In an interview with the Copa City Studio podcast, the defender spoke about his relationship with fans and stated that Vini Jr, the Red and Black's creation, could win the Ballon d'Or.

David has 123 games, three goals and two assists since 2021. "It's one of the most beautiful pages of my career after many years in Europe to have the opportunity to return to Brazil and play for Flamengo," he said.

"Flamengo would not be great if there wasn't the Nation, the fans, this love, if the stadium wasn't full every game and everywhere we go. It's a fan base that truly loves, it's living fully, dedicatedly. anything in your life, with this pure feeling, you feel. This whole atmosphere that surrounds Flamengo, is felt. Flamengo moves me, it brings me every day, when I wake up, the desire to fight. , sadness, but it's what moves us. Being part of this is a sign that you're alive, it's a sign that Flamengo makes you live in a different way."

David Luiz on the Copa City Studio podcast< /p>

Created by Ninho do Urubu, Vini Jr is one of the competitors for the Ballon d'Or. David Luiz believes that the young man can take the prize. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on October 28th.

"[He can win] without a doubt, he's already proven that. Last year was perhaps his best season. He's fighting with all the other greats talents that are now reigning in football."

David was champion of the Libertadores and Copa do Brasil in 2022, as well as Carioca in 2024, but suffered a severe blow in the defeat to Palmeiras in 2021. "In 2021 we lost the Libertadores and for me it was a huge blow. I thought it would be the first time in my career that I would win a title in an "easy" way because I would already reach the icing on the cake, I reached the semi-final. life is nothing easy, we lost. In 2022 we managed to make a huge turnaround in the middle of a tremendous season. It doesn't matter how it starts, it doesn't matter how it ends. Flamengo deserved to be enjoying this era of titles and putting the club where it deserves."

At 37 years old, David Luiz is the oldest in Flamengo's current squad, but he still doesn't think about stopping. He has a contract until the end of this year and is awaiting Fla's wishes to renew. "I want to play as long as I love football. I play for love, that's what moves me. I work to be able to play, but as long as there is love there will be discipline and responsibility."

Flamengo joined Arsenal and Bayern Munich is one of the first Copa City licensed clubs. The football management video game will be released in 2025.