Scorer of the goal against Palmeiras that gave Flamengo the 2025 Copa Libertadores title, experienced defender Danilo, 34, also scored in the decision he won for Santos, in 2011, against Peñarol.
“I always imagined getting far, not that far, but I also didn’t know it would be so difficult,” said the player in an interview with TV Globo on the pitch at Monumental de Lima, in Peru.
“Everyone has their own sacrifices that no one sees. That’s what I asked in the dressing room before the game, that we put our spirits up based on these sacrifices that no one sees, that we go through daily in our home, in our private lives, the medications and injections that we have to take”, added the athlete, who won his third title with the Red and Black, after lifting the Brazilian and Carioca Supercup cups.
Danilo stated that he had been playing in the last few games with edema and dedicated his title to his father, who was on his way to Lima to watch the match, but returned to Bicas, the family’s hometown, in Minas Gerais, after the death of a sister.
“What I would say to that Danilo from Bicas is: ‘allow yourself to dream, because if you can dream, you can achieve it”, said the Flamengo player and two-time Champions League champion with Real Madrid.
“It’s no secret to anyone that I’m a Flamengo fan, how much I wanted to return to play for Flamengo, it was my priority ever since,” said the defender, announced by the red-black team in January, after a long career abroad.
Three-time champion and elected the best player in the Libertadores, Uruguayan Arrascaeta celebrated being able to return to the stage where he won his first continental title.
“They are always difficult and difficult games against a great rival”, said the midfielder, who regretted the absence of his wife, who was unable to travel due to being in the final stages of her pregnancy.
“It was very important for me to repay with this cup all the effort she made for our family,” said the Uruguayan.
He did not want to project Flamengo’s next match, which could be worth the Brazilian title. “I can’t think about the next game now. Now, we deserve to celebrate, because this whole group fought a lot this year. We went through a lot of adversity,” said the player.
