Pedro broke the silence, this Monday (14), after the criticism received by coach Filipe Luís in the post-Vittal collective of Flamengo over Sao Paulo. In an official note published on his social networks, the striker said he felt “exposed” adn “devalued”, but acknowledged that he lowered the performance in training.
– Once clarified internally, I come to public to talk to Flamengo fans, to which I have greater respect and gratitude, about the facts that have happened in recent days. It is undeniable that I felt devalued and exposed after a “member” of the football department put me for sale and discarded for the season sequence. I built my career in Flamengo with a lot of struggle and dedication. I fought for my place since the first day. I won important titles and a place in history. I expected more respect, “said Pedro.
“Clearly this fact made me lower my performance in everyday life.” I have no vanity and I assume that over the past week my performance was below my companions. That’sFlamengo officially announced this Tuesday, July 2nd, that striker Pedro will not be sold during the current transfer window. The club’s decision came after receiving proposals from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Europe, but Flamengo preferred to keep the player at least until the end of the year.
The details was confirmed by the club’s vice-president of football, marcos Braz, through his social networks. braz stated that Pedro is a fundamental piece of the team and that his departure would leave a significant void in the squad.
“We received proposals for Pedro, but the board decided to keep him at Flamengo. He is a very important player for us and we don’t want to loose him now,” said Braz.
Pedro is currently one of the top scorers in Brazilian football and has been a key player in Flamengo’s recent successes, including the two Brazilian Championship titles (2019 and 2020) and the Libertadores title (2022).
Other possible departures
While Pedro stays, Flamengo is open to negotiating the departure of other players. Midfielder Wesley, for example, is valued at 20 million euros (R $ 128 million) and has attracted interest from several European clubs.
Another player who could leave is midfielder De la Cruz, valued at 18 million euros (R $ 115 million). Flamengo is analyzing the proposals and will only release the player if the offers are considered satisfactory.
Flamengo Striker Faces Bench Due to Conduct Concerns
flamengo’s recent victory over São Paulo was overshadowed by the surprising omission of star striker Pedro from the matchday squad. The decision, made by coach Filipe Luís, stemmed from concerns regarding the player’s conduct during training sessions.
Performance Concerns Lead to Exclusion
Reports indicate that Pedro did not participate in full team training on Friday, rather undertaking individual exercises. Sources suggest his performance during these sessions fell short of expectations, ultimately leading to his exclusion from the game against São Paulo.This isn’t the first instance of friction between the player and club management, with ongoing discussions surrounding his role and future at Flamengo.
Coach Cites Disrespectful Training Behavior
Following the win against São Paulo, Filipe Luís publicly addressed the situation, citing “behavioral issues” as the reason for Pedro’s exclusion. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong training culture within the team, stating that Pedro’s actions demonstrated a “lack of respect” and were deemed unacceptable. Luís expressed concern that such behavior could negatively influence the rest of the squad. He stated, “What he did was a lack of respect, his attitude in training. And I didn’t doubt to leave it out of the list of related because this type of behavior can infect.”
Flamengo’s Strong Position in the League
despite the internal disruption, Flamengo remains at the top of the Brasileirão Serie A standings. As of July 15, 2025, the team has accumulated 27 points, establishing a strong lead in the competition. Their next challenge is an away match against Santos on Wednesday, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM Brasília time. The team will be looking to maintain their momentum and solidify their position as league leaders.
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