Hero stories often begin with tragedy and end with glory. In the case of Gabigol, the narrative is the other way around: from being the star that led the team to conquer the Libertadores to the lack of continuity, a brief suspension for his conduct and, in the last chapter, the removal of the number 10 for a new controversy.
READ MORE
++ How was Gabigol’s return to Flamengo after suspension
++ Which stadiums can host the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil?
++ Flamengo’s Gabigol cleared to play, returns in time for Copa do Brasil match
The viralization of a photo in which the attacker appears wearing the Corinthians shirt is the trigger for the new scandal. In the image, he is seen wearing Timão’s black t-shirt at a table, next to a beer, at a social gathering in which two Fla employees participated.
Those close to the forward tried to establish that the photo was false, although the Rio club seemed not to support that argument and made his position known in a statement posted on social networks. “The player Gabriel Barbosa was fined and informed by the manager that he will no longer wear the red and black shirt with the number 10 in competitions in which the numbering can be changed,” the text indicated.
O Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informa que, após reunião com o vice-presidente de futebol, Marcos Braz, e demais diretores do departamento, o atleta Gabriel Barbosa foi multado e comunicado pelo dirigente de que não usará mais a camisa 10 rubro-negra nas competições possíveis de…
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) May 17, 2024
The player also chose social networks to make his defense: I was informed that I will no longer wear the 10. I accept and respect the club’s command. But that’s not going to erase the history I built with my teammates. “I accept the next ‘shirt’ and I will give my life in the field for Mengão.”
Gabigol visited the 10 that the legendary Zico knew how to wear once Diego announced his retirement from professional football in 2022. The attacker had already become the hero of the Libertadores won in 2019, so he was the natural heir to the number.
It is not the first controversy that has surrounded him this year: the forward returned to play with Flamengo at the beginning of this month after being suspended for about 66 days. In March, a sports court sanctioned him for two years due to the accusation of trying to violate an anti-doping control, although last month a higher court annulled the measure and cleared him to play.
Prior to this suspension, his continuity was already an unknown due to inconveniences in renewing his contract, which expires in December. Even in this last transfer market he was linked to several teams, including Corinthians.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the first five episodes available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.
