Flamengo is Brazil’s Libertadores

What a goal. All of the above were by Arthur Antunes Coimbra and Gabriel Barbosa – four each, always by foot. Danilo, in turn, hit a powerful and accurate header 13 minutes after the start of the second half. For the superstitious, it was impossible to ignore that the ball hit the post and entered the same side where Gabigol turned the game around against River Plate, in 2019. For those looking for a good story to tell, there was the unlikely hero: substitute Leo Ortiz, who only played because the starter did not recover in time from injury; The same man who 12 years ago scored a free-kick for Neymar’s Santos, breaking the tie in another final, against Peñarol.

But perhaps the most important aspect of Danilo is the fact that he chose Flamengo. Like many children who were not born in Rio de Janeiro, these red and black bikinis grew up. It was his father’s team who could not be in Lima yesterday because he lost his sister, and were duly honored by his son after the win. The same happened with today’s coach Filipe Luis, from Santa Catarina, who fell in love with the red and black under the influence of his grandfather. They both returned from Europe with good years of their careers still ahead of them, and playing for their favorite team was not just an expression of love. There was money and structure to bring in, as well as Jorginho and Alex Sandro, the other important figures in the campaign.

This has already happened with Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique, the greatest title winners in Flamengo’s history, attracted by good salaries and good working conditions after their brilliance here in Brazilian football. Neither one nor the other was on the field yesterday when the final whistle blew. And although he was named champion of the tournament by CONMEBOL, Arasca wasn’t even Uruguay’s best player in the decision – the honor went to Varela, the right-back who still faces (or is facing) the fans’ distrust. Stars win games, teams win championships.