Even with harassment from Europe and a new contract, Lorran ends the season as Filipe Luís' last option

Lorran experienced a season of ups and downs as a professional Flamengo and is heading to end the year with little space. The base jewel had outstanding performances in the first chances, but was cornered by Tite after fluctuations. After just a few minutes with Filipe Luís, being passed over by Guilherme in the game against Cuiabá, this Wednesday (20), indicates that the 18-year-old athlete remains at the “end of the line”.

Flamengo had 12 absences against Cuiabá, mainly in midfield and attack, but Lorran still spent the 90 minutes on the bench. Filipe opted for Matheus Gonçalves and promoted Guilherme's debut to change the offensive sector. The last one, in fact, scored a goal that started the turnaround and could receive more opportunities in the last four games of the year.

There was an expectation that the lack of options would make Lorran have space again. He was even considered to be part of the starting team if Bruno Henrique did not obtain the suspension effect. However, the young man continues without matches in sequences and very few minutes.

The season started with great prominence in the Libertadores U20 and games that attracted attention in the professional world. Followed by boos from the fans, substitution after just a few minutes on the field, relegation to the under-20s and now an attempt to return to start 2025 with an established position in the squad.

Between fluctuations in the season, Flamengo signed a new contract with the young man. The previous contract was valid until June 2025, which would allow a pre-contract to be signed from January. Thus, club and player reached an agreement for salary increase and contract extension and a fine of 100 million euros (R$613 million, at current prices).

In the latest weeks, different journalists and European portals reported Manchester United's interest in signing Lorran. He has also been speculated to be in the sights of teams in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

Show against Corinthians

Lorran joined the professional squad in April. He assisted Léo Ortiz with one minute on the field against Palestino, in the Libertadores, and came on for a few minutes against Atlético-GO, Bolívar and Botafogo afterwards. His first big performance was against Amazonas FC, in the Copa do Brasil, when he debuted as a starter.

It was then who, two games later, started again against Corinthians and shone. He naturally assumed the responsibility of replacing Arrascaeta, impressing with his ability and confidence to overcome opponents.

The Boy do Ninho assisted Pedro to open the scoring for Flamengo in the 20th minute of the first half and scored the winning goal on a counterattack in the second half. But what caught the most attention was the offensive volume and the ability to participate in 50% of the team's offensive actions.

Start that made it widely used and important during the Copa América period, when Fla was very lacking. He participated in eight of the 11 games during the period, six as a starter.

Loss of space

The oscillation started in a match against Cruzeiro, which was won against Flamengo 2-1. The young man started in the starting 11 and did not play well, which led to boos from the fans and substitution at half-time. At the press conference, Tite asked for patience so as not to burn a promise.

But no following game it was the coach who decided to expose Garoto do Ninho. Adenor put on Camisa 19 in the 39th minute of the first half of the draw with Cuiabá, in June, at Maracanã, and took him out of the game in the 37th minute of the second half. The coach stated that it was a tactical decision and said that there was “support” for the athlete.

However, Lorran has only played seven Flamengo professional matches since then. There are five months of few minutes and only one match as a starter in the first team: defeat to Grêmio, in September, when he did well.

Filipe Luís activated Garoto do Ninho at the end of three Brasileirão matches, against Fluminense, Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG. Now, there are four games left until the end of the season and Lorran is expected to get minutes in at least one of those games. Fla faces Fortaleza, Internacional, Criciúma and Vitória.