Flamengo is moving towards renewing its contract with the club until 2027.

Flamengo's longtime idol, Júnior, came to the defense of 20-year-old Wallace Yan, who missed the decisive penalty in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals against Atlético-MG . The target of criticism on social media, the striker received words of encouragement from the former full-back , who recalled a similar incident in 1977 involving Tita, then a promising Flamengo youth player.

"Today, seeing the repercussion of the penalty missed by @oficial.wallaceyan in yesterday's game, a memory came to me that I experienced in 1977, a situation very similar to Tita . A kid like Wallace, starting very early in the professional game, who missed a penalty in a Guanabara Cup final, and all the comments I read, heard and even asked me about, are exactly the same! He shouldn't have taken it, there were more experienced people, they could burn him with the crowd, etc.", wrote the Maestro.

SUPPORT OF THE TIME WAS DECISIVE

Júnior, who holds the record for appearances with the Sacred Mantle, said that after Tita's mistake, the entire squad rallied to support him. Years later, the striker would become a key player in the team's Libertadores , World Cup, and two Brazilian Championship victories.

"That day, after the penalty was missed and the final was won, the entire team gathered in a restaurant in Arpoador to give support and encouragement to that young man who, four years later, would become champion of everything for the club! He became one of the most important players in the conquests! That support that day for him was perhaps the starting point for the beginning of the club's golden era , which began in 78 with the Carioca going all the way to the Brazilian championship in 1983."

EXPECTATION IS THAT FILIPE LUÍS

Júnior also emphasized that he hopes to see the same concern for the striker's development in the current group. He cited the role of the coach and coaching staff in ensuring the player maintains confidence and continues to develop.

"I hope that the club, through Filipe Luís and his coaching staff, has the same concerns that we had, led by Captain Coutinho and Domingo Bosco , so as not to lose a young man who has already shown that he could become a "new" Tita for the ball, for his provocative manner and for the achievements that could come."

Flamengo said goodbye to the Copa do Brasil after being eliminated by Atlético-MG on penalties, last Wednesday (6), at Arena MRV. The Mais Querido, which prioritized other competitions in the season , ends its participation earlier than planned. Since 2016, the club has at least reached the quarterfinals, including three consecutive finals in recent years.

With the relegation, the team earned R$5,953,500.00 in the competition, well below the amount projected in the 2025 budget , which predicted at least a spot in the semifinals and a prize pool of R$20,616,750.00. In 2024, Rubro-Negro earned around R$93 million during the title campaign.

Despite the negative financial impact, the deficit was offset by a better-than-expected performance in the Club World Cup . Initially, the club only projected a group stage, but advanced to the round of 16, only to be eliminated by Bayern Munich. The campaign generated US$7.5 million (approximately R$41 million), a figure that more than covers the nearly R$15 million lost from the Copa do Brasil.

CLUB PRIORITIZES BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

From now on, Flamengo will focus its efforts on two fronts: the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Libertadores da América. In Serie A, the team is tied on points with Cruzeiro, with one round remaining in the first round. In the continental tournament, their opponent in the round of 16 will be Internacional, and the goal is to reach at least the semifinals.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

Rubro-Negro's next match will be on Saturday (9), when they face Mirassol at Maracanã, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. The expectation is that a large crowd will support the team in its quest to maintain its leadership.

On Wednesday night (6), Flamengo beat Atlético-MG 1-0 at Arena MRV , equaling the aggregate score at 1-1 and taking the decision of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil to penalties. In the penalties, the Minas Gerais team won 4-3 and advanced to the semifinals.

Young Wallace Yan , the protagonist of recent controversies with Galo players, missed the penalty that sealed Mengão's elimination. After the match, Hulk commented on the arguments and denied any animosity with the red-and-black striker .

"I have nothing against Wallace Yan. I tried to tell him he's a very talented kid , but he wouldn't listen. Sometimes the press ends up taking jabs at us. There's no such thing as a player fighting against another; what we try to do is offer advice..." said Hulk, before detailing an incident involving a disagreement on the field.

ATLÉTICO-MG STRIKER HIGHLIGHTS TALENT

Galo's number 7 stated that Wallace Yan's potential is evident , but that his immaturity could hinder his development in professional football. Despite Hulk's 'criticism', the player remains protected behind the scenes at Flamengo .

"But he's a very talented kid, maybe because he's at a very big club and has been promoted so young , you don't have a strong mentality and end up being influenced. I hope he stays focused, because he has a long way to go to become a great player. He needs to keep his head strong, otherwise it will end up ruining his performance," Hulk added.

TOTAL FOCUS ON THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Now, with the Copa do Brasil off the calendar, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brasileirão. The next challenge will be on Saturday (9), against Mirassol, at 6:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the 18th round. The expectation is a large crowd to support the team in the fight to maintain the top of the table.