Soccer

Flamengo's scientific coordinator details work to prevent injuries and the club's preparation

Cláudio Pavanelli arrived in the United States before the Club World Cup and details how the restructuring has been to combine performance and prevention during the season

Cláudio Pavanelli in the United States before Flamengo arrived in the United States for the FIFA Club Super World Cup

14 Jun 2025 | 13:46 |

Cláudio Pavanelli was the first member of the Flamengo delegation to arrive in the United States for the Club World Cup , 20 days ago, to update his knowledge at a sports medicine conference. His return to Ninho do Urubu, where he worked between 2013 and 2014, when the club was designing its Center of Excellence in Performance, came after a continuing education project that has been ongoing for nine years outside of Brazil, and reinstated him in the position of “Head of Sports Science" in the Department of Health and High Performance.

In an interview with GLOBO on American soil, the Flamengo's scientific coordinator explains how the FIFA tournament can show that Flamengo is evolving in this area in relation to the Europeans, and how qualification in the United States, a hotbed of research, is important.

SCIENCE X PERFORMANCE

For Pavanelli, modern sports science is an orchestra . Medicine, nutrition, psychology, physical preparation and physiotherapy play in harmony, with physiology acting as the great conductor that unites all areas. The work focuses on three pillars: treatment, prevention and, most importantly, the evolution of performance.

"This work is done with risk management. We seek to understand the training load, both external and internal, to know how much the athlete is able to absorb. The objective is for him to have an effective, efficient and, above all, healthy evolution" , he began.

Pavanelli states that Brazil has highly qualified professionals in all areas of activity . The big difference compared to centers like the United States, according to him, is in the culture and structure focused on research.

"The sports science hub in the US exists because North American culture is based on sport since school" , he highlighted.

While Americans delve deeper into basic and laboratory science, with investments from giants like NASA and the Army, powers like Germany and England stand out by applying this knowledge in a practical way to football. Pavanelli's goal is precisely to unite these two worlds at Flamengo . He criticizes the superficiality that sometimes contaminates the environment.

"Many people end up absorbing what social media says, without the opportunity to discuss the research in depth. Science depends on references, on knowing who did it and how to apply it in different situations to be successful," he added.

PAVANELLI HIGHLIGHTS THAT APPROACH HAS BEEN KEY AT FLAMENGO

Pavanelli's return to the club is not limited to buying cutting-edge equipment. The focus is on knowledge and excellence: "Evolution depends on the professionals, not the other way around. Today, just buying a device does not mean that you will use it to its best capacity. It is the professional's needs that create the demand for new technology."

Its mission is to create a unique methodological line that integrates all categories of the club, from professional football to women's football and Olympic sports.

"Any information collected is shared so that each department can apply its best knowledge. This fast and efficient connection between the areas of performance, prevention and rehabilitation is our great evolution" , said the professional.

The results, according to him, are already visible: "We changed processes, we changed a lot of things in the athlete's daily procedure. We see this in the numbers. We have a greater participation of great players who previously did not have such a long sequence. In addition to being able to play more, they maintain the intensity and a fundamental participation in the matches."

Last minute

Soccer

Rossi preaches focus on Flamengo despite dreaming of playing for the Argentine national team

The goalkeeper doesn't deny that reaching the current world champion is a goal, but says it's necessary to keep his head in his work at Mengão

Rossi doesn't deny his dream of wearing the Argentine national team shirt, but he urges focus on Flamengo - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

16 Set 2025 | 22:00 |

In a press conference at Ninho do Urubu, goalkeeper Agustín Rossi spoke about his desire to be called up to the Argentina national team , the current world champion. Despite his dream, the goalkeeper made it clear that his priority remains Flamengo.

Rossi on his dream of joining the Argentine national team: "My job is for Flamengo"

"Obviously, I've always wanted to be called up. I think Brazilian football is very strong, not only in South America, but worldwide as well. In the last call-up, there were players from here. But I'm not thinking about that right now . I think that if I do my job well, that call-up could come," Rossi stated.

TOTAL FOCUS ON FLAMENGO

The Argentine stressed that he keeps his feet on the ground and that his main goal is to continue showing consistency for the Rubro-Negro , who have the best defense in the Brasileirão, conceding only 10 goals in 22 games. At Maracanã, the Mais Querido conceded only three goals.

"I'm in no rush, because my job is for Flamengo , day to day, game to game. My biggest focus is to maintain this streak so that the call-up can come. Of course I have that desire, but I don't treat it as a requirement . I'm Flamengo's goalkeeper, I'm responsible for Flamengo. If the call-up comes, I'll welcome it," he added.

INCOME AND TITLES WITH THE MANTLE

Since joining Flamengo in 2023, Rossi has already won four titles. Last season, he was a key player in the undefeated Carioca Championship and also played in the Copa do Brasil victory. In 2025, he maintained his starting spot in the Supercopa do Brasil and the Campeonato Estadual . In total, he has represented Flamengo in 125 official matches, establishing himself as a pillar of the team.

Flamengo's scientific coordinator details work to prevent injuries and the club's preparation