Gabigol, from Flamengo, leads the share of goals in finals in Brazil

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."

With Wesley 's recent departure and Emerson Royal's adjustment period, Uruguayan Guillermo Varela has taken over as Flamengo's right-back. The number 2 is enjoying his best moment at the club and, at the same time, is making progress in negotiations to renew his contract, a negotiation that has been dragging on since the beginning of 2025.

The player was one of the standout performers in the Copa do Brasil match against Atlético-MG at Arena MRV. Despite the penalty shootout loss, he demonstrated defensive confidence and efficiency in attacking support, reinforcing his importance in Filipe Luís's tactical scheme.

NEGOTIATION BETWEEN CLUB AND ATHLETE

According to information from GE, the talks that began in March are close to a positive conclusion . Issues related to the salary adjustment and the duration of the contract have already been resolved. The new contract is expected to be signed in the coming days, extending Varela's tenure until December 2027.

The full-back, whose current contract expires at the end of this year, has the backing of Filipe Luís, who has previously publicly advocated for his continued presence . The Uruguayan's versatility, which can also play improvised left-back and midfield, was a decisive factor in his increase in value.

COMPETITION FOR POSITION

Although he's enjoying a moment of prominence, Varela isn't assured of a long-term starting spot. The coaching staff values the healthy competition for the starting spot, noting that each full-back offers different attributes. While the Uruguayan stands out for his defensive solidity, Emerson Royal is seen as a player with physical explosiveness and speed, ideal for accelerating offensive transitions.

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.