Rodinei tells the behind-the-scenes story of when he signed with Flamengo: "I didn't think twice"

Signed by Bahia in 2024, after ending his cycle at Flamengo, Everton Ribeiro could have followed another path in Brazilian football. During his participation in the program Fechamento, on SporTV, last Sunday (7), former midfielder Felipe Melo revealed that he pressured president Mário Bittencourt for the midfielder to be signed by Fluminense .

"Fluminense wanted it. I kept pestering the president and saying, ' Bring it, bring it, bring it here. It has to come, it has to come.' I always thought it would be almost impossible because I'm an idol at Flamengo , which is Fluminense's rival, but I was one of the guys who pestered the president. Unfortunately, it didn't happen, and he went to Bahia," Felipe said.

HALF-TIME REFUSED PROPOSAL

This wasn't the first time Everton Ribeiro 's name was linked to Fluminense. In an interview with TNT Sports Brasil in 2024, the midfielder revealed that he turned down an offer from the Laranjeiras club . According to him, the decision was made out of respect for the trajectory he had built at Rubro-Negro.

"I knew about the interest. I'm especially grateful to the president of Fluminense, who always showed affection and admired my football, but because of everything I experienced at Flamengo, because of everything I achieved there, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving Flamengo and going to a rival straight away like that. It would be strange for me. I respect the clubs that wanted me, they have their history and I have mine at Flamengo too," said the player at the time.

EVERTON RIBEIRO COLLECTED TITLES

The midfielder played for the Rio de Janeiro club between 2017 and 2023 , during which time he established himself as one of the club's greatest recent idols. During his career, he won 11 titles: two Libertadores, two Brazilian Championships, one Copa do Brasil, one Recopa Sudamericana, three Campeonato Carioca titles, and two Brazilian Super Cups.

Recently, Nicolás De La Cruz received an offer from a Qatari club interested in signing him. The Uruguayan midfielder, however, decided to decline the offer and reiterated his desire to remain with the Rio de Janeiro club . According to the athlete himself, his decision is linked to the desire to repay the trust shown by the board, which invested heavily in his arrival.

Before arriving in Rio de Janeiro, the midfielder was already the subject of speculation, especially after his success with River Plate. Flamengo , which had been trying to sign him on other occasions, managed to complete the deal in December 2023. At the time, the board paid a $16 million release clause, a figure that generated great anticipation around his performance in Brazilian football.

MEDICAL CONTROVERSY AND DOUBTS

Between June and July, the Uruguayan was sidelined for seven games due to inflammation in his left knee. During this period, a controversy involving the medical department took center stage. José Luiz Runco, then the team's manager, stated in internal messages that the athlete had chronic injuries in both knees . The situation generated significant backlash and led to the club doctor's departure, raising questions about the Flamengo midfielder's physical condition.

With his gradual return to the squad, De La Cruz was included in all subsequent matches. Despite not playing against Internacional in the Libertadores, he earned minutes in the historic 8-0 rout of Vitória. Coming into the final stretch, he showed determination on the field and coincided with Jorginho's appearance, creating space for the Uruguayan to once again become a starter.

STARTING PLAYER

During the preparation for the match against Grêmio , the coach and coaching staff paid special attention to the player. The week's training sessions served as a prelude to his return to the starting lineup, something he hadn't done since the derby against Botafogo on May 18th.

The website specializing in market values, Transfermarkt, updated last Friday (5) the pricing of athletes who play in Brazilian football. The new evaluation brought changes in the selection of the most valuable by position , and Flamengo appears with four players in the ideal team.

Despite losing the lead at right-back, previously held by Emerson Royal , the club remains the most talented in terms of player numbers . With the upgrade, Palmeiras' Giay has taken over the lead at the position.

FLAMENGO IS THE CLUB WITH THE MOST REPRESENTATIVES

In the selection of the most valued, Rubro-Negro appears with four players , ahead of Palmeiras, which has three. Corinthians appears on the list with two names, while Internacional and Botafogo appear with one player each.

The team's standout player is Samuel Lino, currently Flamengo's most valuable player. Pedro, despite his devaluation, remains among the selected forwards , alongside Corinthians' Yuri Alberto and Lino himself.

CHECK OUT THE MOST VALUABLE TEAM IN THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

• Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
• Giay (Palms)
• Leo Ortiz (Flamengo)
• Vitão (International)
• Piquerez (Palms)
• Danilo (Botafogo)
• Andreas Pereira (Palmeiras)
• Arrascaeta (Flamengo)
• Yuri Alberto (Corinthians)
• Samuel Lino (Flamengo)
• Pedro (Flamengo)