How Filipe Luís can help with Gabigol’s renewal at Flamengo

After a few months of turmoil on and off the field, Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, smiled again on Flamengo. The striker, who has been one of the Rio club's main idols in recent years, seems to be lighter and more comfortable on the field. However, this recovery in spirit does not eliminate the uncertainty about the player's future. With a contract valid until December this year, Gabigol still doesn't know if he will wear the red-black shirt next season, in 2025.

The uncertainty began to gain strength at the end of last season, when the club and athlete had already verbally agreed to renew for another five years. However, the Flamengo board backed down , claiming that the player's income did not justify a long-term investment. Added to this, some off-field controversies involving the attacker cooled the negotiations and created an impasse between the parties.

EXTRA FIELD CONTROVERSY

This change of stance caught the attacker and his staff by surprise. Gabigol , who publicly expressed his desire to remain at Flamengo for many years, saw the scenario reverse. The idol, who was essential in achievements such as the Libertadores and Brasileirão in 2019, began to be analyzed with more suspicion by directors, who are cautious about a renewal along the same lines as previously proposed. Meanwhile, clubs in Brazil and abroad are monitoring the situation, keeping an eye on a possible transfer of the player.

POSTURE BY GABIGOL

With the arrival of new reinforcements and the reformulation of the squad, Flamengo seeks to balance its finances and avoid excessive spending, especially with high salaries and long contracts. This context leaves Gabigol in an uncomfortable position. On the one hand, he wants to prove that he can still be decisive and valuable for the club. On the other hand, he knows that time is passing and a definition needs to happen soon so that both parties can plan 2025 clearly.