Flamengo beat Millonarios (Colombia) 3-0 to qualify for the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. One certainty that the night at the Maracaná left is that the Rio team will fight despite finishing second in group E and another is that Gabigol’s future seems increasingly distant from the club.
Gabriel Barbosa did not enter the field of play despite the fact that Tite made five substitutions to renew the air of his players. In addition, the attacker used number 99 again when he lost number 10 as a sanction for the viral photo in which he is seen wearing the Corinthians shirt.
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The 27-year-old forward already chose that number in the away match against Amazonas, for the Brazilian Cup, in which he also did not play. But the Libertadores game was the first game at the Maracaná since the controversy arose around the hero of the continental tournament won in 2019.
In the stands there were signs of both support and rejection. It was, on the other hand, the second controversy involving Gabigol this year, after being suspended for 66 days for alleged irregularities during an anti-doping control, in a sanction that was provisionally lifted while awaiting a final ruling.
NOSSO TIME É A GENTE EM CAMPO! O MENGÃO ESTÁ ESCALADO PARA ENFRENTAR O MILLONARIOS, PELA @libertadores! #VamosFlamengo #FLAxMIL pic.twitter.com/0hI3KPwQeU
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) May 28, 2024
The CONMEBOL regulations prevent the change of number, since the modification is only allowed if a footballer signed during the competition inherits the number of another who leaves the registration list. However, the governing body of South American football gave its approval to the request of the Mengão leadership.
Despite not entering, the use of Gabigol’s number 99 was first made official in the form that the team gave to inform the starters and substitutes against Millonarios. Later, the attacker could be seen with that number in the warm-up prior to the duel and, more clearly, once the referee blew the final whistle and the Flamengo players gathered in the central circle of the playing field.
Primeiro jogo do Gabigol no Maracanã após a polêmica com a camisa do Corinthians. O atacante usará a 99.
📸 @__perdigao pic.twitter.com/ZI7iLWndNj
— Fellipe Perdigão (@__perdigao) May 28, 2024
Prior to this sanction, his continuity was already a mystery due to problems 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 full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
