Tite surprises and sends message to Gabigol after Flamengo bust-up

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Coluna do Fla

·7. Januar 2026

Tite surprises and sends message to Gabigol after Flamengo bust-up

Tite was introduced to Cruzeiro this Wednesday (07)

It's no secret that Gabigol and Tite did not have a good relationship at Flamengo in 2024. The striker and coach almost worked together again at Cruzeiro in 2026, but the former number 10 from Gávea ended up being loaned to Santos. Asked about his former adversary, the coach wished the athlete success.

— We look forward. Now I want to think about the possibilities of using Néiser, Chico (da Costa) who is arriving. I wish him (Gabigol) success in his work, that he can return and provide Cruzeiro, at the right time, with the best possible situation —, said Tite.

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— I want to focus on my work, I want to focus on what I can develop in the best condition, that he is happy where he is. So, I am happy to be at Cruzeiro and very happy to have been chosen —, added the new Cruzeiro coach.

WHAT WERE THE CONFLICTS BETWEEN TITE AND GABIGOL?

It all started at the end of 2022. Champion of the Libertadores with Flamengo, Gabigol heard, during the title celebration, the fans singing “Ô Tite, VSF, Gabigol doesn't need you”. The message was a reference to the striker not being called up for the World Cup when the coach was leading the Brazilian National Team. The athlete did not sing along, but he approved.

At Flamengo, when Tite took over the team at the end of 2023, Gabigol became a substitute. Then, after the departure of the coach, the player vented after winning the Copa do Brasil. On that occasion, Gabriel said that the coach did not “respect him as an athlete and as a person”.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.