Flamengo announces squad for U-20 World Cup final against Barcelona

Flamengo takes to the field this Saturday (23) to play the final of the U-20 Club World Cup , against Barcelona (ESP). For the clash, Filipe Luís chose not to release Wallace Yan , who will remain integrated into the professional squad.

Filipe Luís on Wallace Yan's release to Flamengo U-20: "He will continue with me"

"I spoke with João (Victor) and I'm a little sad about his situation. When Danilo was injured, he was the immediate backup . I need him and plan on giving him minutes so he can develop, but unfortunately he didn't get many, either here or in the U-20s. With Danilo's return, I was able to free him up to play in this U-20 World Cup final," said Filipe Luís.

The coach also emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for young players, but that the number 64 will remain with the seniors. "This game is important for the club, and also for the development of the kids. Matheus needs to play, otherwise he'll become demotivated . Wallace (Yan), however, doesn't. He'll stay with me," explained Filipe Luís.

FLAMENGO SEARCHES FOR A SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP

The Rubro-Negro team heads into the final seeking its second consecutive championship. In 2023, the U-20 team won the title by defeating Olympiacos (GRE) 2-1 at the Maracanã. Now, against Barcelona, they can lift the trophy again , this time with the fans cheering them on in the stadium.

MAIN SQUAD LOOKS TO THE LIBERTADORES

While the youth team dreams of another world title, Flamengo's main team focuses on the Libertadores . The team faces Internacional this Wednesday (20), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Beira-Rio, for the second leg of the round of 16. The match will be broadcast on Rede Globo (free-to-air TV), ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming).

Early in his tenure as Flamengo's U-20 coach , Bruno Pivetti commented on his decision to leave professional football behind to take over the club's youth academy . To date, the coach has gone six games unbeaten, with four wins and two draws.

Bruno Pivetti, Flamengo U-20 coach: "I received invitations from professional teams"

Last Friday (15), Pivetti participated in Mengocast, Flamengo TV's official podcast , and detailed the reasons that led him to accept the red-black invitation , even after playing for several professional teams such as Vitória, Tombense, CSA, Goiás, Guarani, Chapecoense, Náutico, CRB and Operário.

"First, the club's grandeur. I've made it a goal in my career that when a club the size of Flamengo called me, I would only have one decision: accept . I came to add to and contribute to this great story," he emphasized.

According to the coach, despite receiving offers from professional teams after leaving Operário, the solidity of the youth academy project influenced his decision: " When I see a solid project with good ideas, it lights up my eyes . I received offers from professional teams, but I chose the best working conditions. Flamengo 's U-20 team is a mini-professional team. The structure, good players, and ideal working conditions made me accept the challenge," he explained.

IMMERSION IN THE VULTURE'S NEST

Living an intense routine, Pivetti revealed that he is literally "immersed" in Flamengo . With his family in Campinas, the coach has lived at Ninho do Urubu since arriving: " This idea of a professional who works 24 hours a day, in my case, is literal . I'm immersed in Ninho, I've been living here for almost a month. I experience the club all the time, and the facilities are fantastic," he stated.

NEXT U-20 GAME

Pivetti's next challenge will be this Saturday (16), when Flamengo faces Bangu, at 10 am (Brasília time), in Moça Bonita, for the third round of the Campeonato Carioca Sub-20. The match is the last for the Garotos do Ninho before the Club World Cup final , when Mengão faces Barcelona next Saturday (23) at 4:30 pm, at Maracanã.

Flamengo continues its active transfer market and has finalized the signing of Isaac Gomes, a 16-year-old striker from Fortaleza, to bolster its U-17 squad. This is the first investment by the new youth academy management, led by president Luiz Eduardo Baptista and manager Alfredo Almeida , according to the Flazoeiro channel and the Flabase portal.

The club acquired 70% of the player's economic rights for R$800,000, a move that reinforces its strategy of seeking promising talent from different regions of the country . The negotiations also involved football director José Boto, who has also worked with Flamengo 's youth teams.

ATTACKER PROFILE

Isaac Gomes, a fast and skillful winger, caught the attention of Flamengo 's scouting department for his performances for Fortaleza in the 2025 Brasil Soccer Cup, where he stood out for his technical ability and physical stature .

HISTORY WITH FLAMENGO

A Rio native, Isaac had already been scouted by Flamengo in 2017, when he tried out for futsal at age 8. His family, then living in Junco do Seridó, Paraíba, even organized bingo games and campaigns to make the trip to Rio possible. Although he wasn't selected at the time, he remained on the scouts' radar .

In 2022, playing for Grêmio Recreativo Pague Menos (GRPM/Tirol), he again participated in evaluations at Ninho do Urubu, this time in field soccer . He received positive feedback, but was advised to stay in Ceará to develop technically and physically, with the promise of a return—now fulfilled, in 2025.