Gabigol, the illustrious striker donning Flamengo’s iconic jersey, finds himself on the precipice of a significant stage in his career, as the sands of his current contract are slipping away, scheduled to conclude in December 2024. The board at Flamengo has fervently aspired to extend this contract, and they have committed to making it a top priority, relentlessly toiling to secure a contract extension that would potentially span until the year 2028. The information comes from the Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte.
The details of these discussions have woven through months of negotiations, to address a number of contract clauses. Among the elements meticulously examined are salary adjustments and the allure of target-based bonuses. Yet, amid these ongoing deliberations, a few crucial details remain tantalizingly unresolved.
READ MORE
++ Vinicius’s year, nominated for the 2023 Samba Gold award
++ Samba Gold nominees are revealed and voting is open now
++ Samba Gold 2023 voting process: how it works
Negotiations from a year ago
The genesis of this negotiation dates back a year, back to the euphoric moment when Flamengo clinched the Libertadores title in Guayaquil. But it was in the latter half of 2023 that these discussions gathered momentum, igniting a series of crucial meetings.
💪🔴⚫ That man Gabriel Barbosa strikes again for @Flamengo_en! #GloriaEterna pic.twitter.com/oN5ReMjYRJ
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@TheLibertadores) August 3, 2022
These tête-à-têtes were orchestrated by Gabigol himself and his astute agent, Júnior Pedroso, who shared the table with Flamengo’s dignitaries, Marcos Braz (vice president) and Bruno Spindel (executive director). From the very inception of these discussions, optimism bathed the room with its warm glow. The mutual desire for Gabigol to continue his journey with Flamengo is unmistakable.
The rekindling of the partnership with Gabigol is not just a passing whim; it is an obsession embraced by Braz and the entire football department at Flamengo. Internally, the board members left no room for ambiguity, resolutely articulating their unwavering commitment to retaining the services of the current generation’s most prolific goal-scorer, and they were poised to exert every conceivable effort in doing so.
President Rodolfo Landim, keenly aware of the stakes, personally steered this ship. He maintained a direct line of communication with Gabigol and actively participated in the renewal talks. While the ink has yet to meet paper, the collective anticipation is that the contract will be a done deal in the coming weeks.
In the current season, Gabigol’s form has faced a fair share of scrutiny, as questions have arisen concerning his on-field performance. Statistically, he has contributed to 24 goals in 53 matches. However, it’s essential to note that his legacy at Flamengo is far from tarnished. With an impressive haul of 11 titles and a remarkable tally of 153 goals in 263 appearances, he presently stands as the club’s sixth-highest all-time scorer, an enduring symbol of Flamengo’s history.
Samba Gold 2023: Open voting!
Voting for the Samba Gold Award 2023 is now open. Choose your favorite in the men’s, women’s and under-20 categories!
