Scorer of the goal that guaranteed Flamengo’s 1-0 victory over Ceará and sealed the victory of the 2025 Brazilian Championship, Samuel Lino was one of the most celebrated players at Maracanã on Wednesday night (3). Still on the pitch, he described the decisive performance as a “gift”.
“I was trying, and their team was very closed. I tried, I insisted, and, after so many attempts, the goal came. It shows how resilient I am, how I fight and fight. Not only in this game. But in my career. I was presented with the title goal”, he stated.
Hired in July, Lino arrived as the most expensive acquisition in the club’s history — 22 million euros (R$ 143 million, at the time) paid to Atlético de Madrid. At the beginning, he faced fluctuations and demands proportional to the expectations created, but he gained trust from coach Filipe Luís. He was a starter in the Libertadores final, won over Palmeiras, and now he shows off another trophy.
Revealed in the red and black base, the striker celebrated his reunion with the club in a new condition. “I would never have imagined this scenario. I was champion here in the under-20s and I return to be national and Liberta champion. It’s a feeling of gratitude,” he said.
The feeling is shared by Arrascaeta, protagonist of the campaign. “It’s difficult to explain what we feel. There are no words for our fans. I’ve been here for a while, I almost became another fan. I try to do my job in the best way possible,” said the Uruguayan.
With 18 goals and 14 assists in the Brazilian Championship, Arrascaeta highlighted the wear and tear of the season and the strength of the squad. “We are in the final stretch of the year, our legs are starting to take a toll, even more so with the celebrations. But we have to celebrate with the fans, with our family”, he concluded.
