“I chose to be Flamengo” - Arrascaeta declares himself to the club after elimination in the Libertadores

The elimination of Flamengo in the Libertadores, against Peñarol away from home, intensified the pressure on Tite. However, in addition to criticism of the coach, other names have been mentioned by fans and journalists. Mauro Cezar Pereira, for example, harshly criticized Arrascaeta and Nico de la Cruz.

Mauro not only questioned Arrascaeta's behavior, but also his performance in recent years, suggesting that the Uruguayan has not been playing his best football . He even made a pun on the player's name. Furthermore, the journalist mentioned De La Cruz, questioning the physical form of the former River Plate player.

“Arrascaeta has been dragging on for years. Maybe Lil Gabi could even make some rhymes with it. Arrasca drags on. And De La Cruz looks like he's nailed to the cross. He also drags on, he is never in shape. What happens? Who questions? It seems like no one,” said Mauro Cezar Pereira on UOL’s Posse de Bola.

It’s worth remembering that both Arrascaeta and De La Cruz played in familiar territory. The elimination of Flamengo took place in Uruguay, and the number 14, in fact, has never hidden that he has been a Peñarol fan since childhood.

Even highlighting the performances of Arrascaeta and De La Cruz, Mauro Cezar Pereira also held Tite responsible for the elimination. The journalist pointed out that the coach is often the main target of criticism, but also mentioned the Flamengo board as part of the problem.

“Tite is largely responsible for the Libertadores, but this package has many characters. If once again, they just cut off the coach's head, without making vehement demands on the players, since the managers don't do it... Tite is one of those responsible, but this has been happening for years with several coaches. Players always go blank. There is a lack of charge”, stated MCP.

Finally, Mauro criticized the stance adopted by Tite during the game, stating that there was a lack of “blood in the eyes” to seek victory in Montevideo.

“It involves a lot of the coach, who has this good guy profile. Yesterday it was about playing with the knife between the teeth, blood in the eyes and beatings. That's how you play a finishing game like that. It doesn't finish. That's what's missing, coming together, being intense. This team is not like that”, he concluded.

The Flamengo, one of the most powerful clubs and with the biggest fans in Brazilian football, faces a crisis that goes beyond the four lines. Amid inconsistent results and a constant dance of coaches, the root of the problem appears to be within the club itself. The phrase from former coach Domenec Torrent, who categorically states that "Flamengo's problem is within Flamengo", points to an internal disorganization that is reflected on the field. And this does not depend on the coach in charge — whether renowned or unknown. According to Torrent, as long as internal issues are not resolved, the team will continue to face difficulties, regardless of who is in charge.

Torrent's comment is not just limited to a superficial diagnosis. The coach, who had a brief and turbulent spell at the club, had a view from inside the dressing room and dealt directly with problems that today seem to persist. When he mentions that the difficulties would continue with any big name, such as Ancelotti, Klopp or Guardiola, the message he sends is clear: the situation goes beyond tactics or game philosophy. It is structural and is deeply rooted in behavior and internal attitudes.

The expression "While these two are at Flamengo, anyone can come" also reinforces the idea that there are specific figures within the club who make it difficult to develop consistent work. Even without mentioning names, it is understood that there is an unresolved power relationship between the main actors in charge of the club. This apparently negative influence crosses different administrations and prevents any coach, no matter how competent and respected he may be, from implementing his ideas and establishing a lasting game model.

To better understand the impact of Torrent's statements, it is important remember the context in which he took over Flamengo. The Spanish coach arrived at the club in 2020, shortly after the departure of Jorge Jesus, a coach who had achieved almost everything with the team and left a legacy that would be difficult to overcome. Expectations were high, but Torrent had difficulty adapting to Brazilian football and was harshly criticized for his choices and lack of significant results. His stay was short and ended bitterly, but his observations left an important point: Flamengo's internal environment does not favor the continuity of work, no matter how competent the coach is.

Flamengo fought until the end, but failed to score goals against Peñarol this Thursday at the Campeón del Siglo Stadium, resulting in their elimination from the Copa Libertadores. The game, which ended Mengão's participation in the competition, left the team in search of new goals, now focusing on the Brazilian Championship and the Brazilian Cup.
PRESIDENT OF PEÑAROL EXPRESSES INTEREST

After the end of the match, Peñarol's president, Ignacio Ruglio, expressed his desire to have the players Arrascaeta, De La Cruz and Varela in his squad. During an interview with Carve Deportiva radio, Ruglio highlighted the good relationship he maintains with the three athletes: “We have been in constant contact for 15 days. Their families were present in a box yesterday, especially attended by Peñarol. They are exceptional players who, at some point, will want to return.”

After the game, the Flamengo squad, accompanied by the board, passed through the mixed zone of the stadium. However, midfielder Arrascaeta decided not to give interviews to the Brazilian press, speaking only to Uruguayan journalists before quickly leaving the place. President Rodolfo Landim also chose to avoid the press, going straight to the bus without making any statements. This attitude generated criticism among fans on social media, who expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of communication from the board.

With their elimination in the Libertadores, Flamengo now directs its attention to the Brazilian Championship and the Copa do Brasil, seeking to improve its performance in the remaining competitions. The red-and-black nation hopes that the team will restructure and shine again in search of new titles.