See what Gabigol’s visit to Maracanã was like after being left out of the game against Atlético-MG

The expectation for the game between Flamengo and Atlético-MG at Maracanã last Wednesday night (13) was even greater than it would already be for a game like this. Over the last few days, Gabigol’s removal from the squad has had repercussions, full of promises from the player and support from the club’s fans.

Gabigol’s removal from the squad list was announced by Flamengo after training on the day before the game, at Ninho do Urubu. At the time, the club stated that the decision came from the football board, aiming to maintain ‘cast harmony’.

A few days earlier, after Flamengo’s Copa do Brasil title, Gabigol surprised everyone by announcing his departure from the club amidst the celebrations, shocking even teammates. According to interviews given by coach Filipe Luís after the game, the decision came from this incident, but was taken by the football department, not by him.

With the news, Gabigol assured fans on his social networks that he would go to the game, “for us, for ours, always”, walking up the Maracanã ramps with the fans. The promise even extended to the destination, when the attacker stated that he would go to the North Sector, where the red-black organizations are located.

For security reasons, at the time of the game, he was unable to go to the North Sector, and had to watch the match from his box, as he usually does on occasions when he is not playing. Before the match, Gabigol even published a photo leaving home and going to Maracanã, driving the fans crazy.

Upon arriving at Maraca at 7:25 pm, as promised, Gabigol was wearing a shirt with the number 10 of Zico, a red and black idol. From the parking lot, he went straight to the field, almost unnoticed watching his teammates warm up. After fifteen minutes on the edge of the field, he went to the locker room.

The player participated in closing the circle before the start of the match with Arrascaeta, also out of the game due to a knee problem. After leaving the locker room, Gabigol went to the box, sang along with the fans, reacted to David Luiz’s penalty, to some saves from Everson, but left early, leaving the stadium before the 30th minute of the second half.

The support banners that awaited Gabigol were not accompanied by many shouts for him, who was not in the crowd or on the pitch. Many fans took photos with their idol upon arrival at the stadium, while others complained about his absence in the North.

The novelty was the farewell posters, recalling Gabigol’s history with Flamengo and initiating the farewell to the player.

The truce between Gabigol and Flamengo

After watching the game, with all attention focused on his presence, the scenario changed a little for Gabigol. Júnior Pedroso, his manager, spoke with Marcos Braz, seeking to end the striker’s story at Flamengo in a friendly way.

If before it was likely that Gabigol would no longer take the field for Flamengo, now it is a more possible reality, and could come to fruition in the Brasileirão. Until then, there is no defined farewell, but Gabigol continues training with the team.

The attacker is away “until further notice”, according to the Flamengo coach. The probability is that Gabigol’s final goodbye to Flamengo will be against Vitória, at home, in the last round of the Brazilian Championship.