Where are Flamengo’s last Libertadores champions now? | OneFootball

Flamengo defeated Athletico-PR in the 2022 Libertadores final and could beat Palmeiras this year

The 2022 Libertadores was dominated from start to finish by Flamengo. However, only a few players from that team, coached by Dorival Júnior, will be present in the final of the tournament in 2025. The Rubro-Negro faces Palmeiras this Saturday (29).

Three years ago, Flamengo was lined up for the final against Athletico-PR with: Santos, Rodinei, David Luiz, Léo Pereira and Filipe Luís (Ayrton Lucas); Thiago Maia (Vidal), João Gomes, Arrascaeta (Victor Hugo) and Everton Ribeiro; Gabigol (Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro.

Where are the players from the 2022 Libertadores final now?

Santos – Athletico-PR After leaving Flamengo for Fortaleza, the goalkeeper is currently at Athletico-PR, the club that developed him. Thus, the defender played in Série B in 2025.

Diego Alves – Retired After leaving Flamengo, the number 1 shirt returned to Spanish football with Celta de Vigo. However, Diego Alves retired shortly after, without regaining much sporting prominence.

Hugo Souza – Corinthians He left Flamengo on loan to Chaves, in Portugal, in 2023. Afterwards, the goalkeeper was permanently transferred to Corinthians, where he gained the trust of the fans and was called up to the Brazilian National Team.

Rodinei – Olympiacos (GRE) After his success in 2022, Rodinei decided to move to European football. Since then, he has played for Olympiacos (GRE) and, last Wednesday (27), played against Real Madrid (ESP) in the Champions League.

Matheuzinho – Corinthians The right-back stayed at Flamengo until the beginning of 2024. Afterwards, Matheuzinho chose to join Corinthians, just like Hugo Souza, the club he still plays for today.

Filipe Luís – Retired (Football coach) A Rubro-Negro idol, Filipe Luís hung up his boots at the end of 2023. Soon after, he took charge of Flamengo's U-17 team and moved up the ranks. He is currently the head coach of the main team and is trying to win his first Libertadores in his new role.

Ayrton Lucas – Flamengo The left-back, who was a substitute but played an important role in the decision against Athletico, remains in the Flamengo squad to this day. Ayrton Lucas is the immediate backup for Alex Sandro.

David Luiz – Pafos (CYP) The center-back left Flamengo at the end of 2024 for Fortaleza. However, his stint with the northeastern team was short, and he soon transferred to Pafos, in Cyprus. Like Rodinei, David Luiz is playing in the Champions League.

Fabrício Bruno – Cruzeiro The center-back stayed at Flamengo until the end of 2024. However, Fabrício Bruno requested a transfer, as he would not be a starter under Filipe Luís. Therefore, the defender returned to Cruzeiro, the club that developed him.

Pablo – Flamengo Although he remained at Flamengo, Pablo never had a run of games like in 2022. In addition to injuries, the Rubro-Negro loaned him to Botafogo. Upon his return, the defender was sidelined and was not registered for this year's Libertadores.

Erick Pulgar – Flamengo Newly arrived at the club, Pulgar was a substitute at the end of 2022. However, the midfielder has become a key player in the team year after year. Thus, the Chilean has a chance to start in this year's final.

Arturo Vidal – Colo-Colo (CHI) The midfielder also did not accept being on the bench and asked to transfer. Thus, Vidal played for runners-up Athletico and returned to Colo-Colo, the club that launched him into European football.

Diego Ribas – Retired The then number 10 for Flamengo retired from football at the end of that season. Diego, however, is always fondly remembered for what he did wearing the Sacred Mantle.

Matheus França – Vasco Flamengo sold the promising Matheus França to Crystal Palace (ENG). However, the attacking midfielder was unable to establish himself in European football and ended up loaned to Vasco, where he has not yet secured a starting spot.

Everton Cebolinha – Flamengo Since 2022, Cebolinha has struggled with injuries. However, in this final stretch of 2025, the left winger seems to have regained his form, prompting part of the fans to call for him to start against Palmeiras in place of Samuel Lino.

Marinho – Fortaleza The forward stayed at Flamengo until mid-2023. However, Marinho committed an act of indiscipline and the club decided to sideline him and then sell him. Thus, Fortaleza signed him, where he still plays today.

João Gomes – Wolves (ENG) The midfielder became a fan favorite and attracted attention from Europe. So, Flamengo sold him to Wolves, where he still plays. However, there are rumors of interest from Manchester United (ENG) in João Gomes.

Arrascaeta – Flamengo A Rubro-Negro idol, Arrascaeta has not left Flamengo since arriving in 2019. Thus, if he fulfills his renewed contract, the Uruguayan will wear the Sacred Mantle at least until 2028.

Thiago Maia – Internacional The midfielder is part of a negotiation that is causing headaches for Flamengo. The club loaned Thiago Maia to Internacional in 2024. This year, however, the southern team decided to buy him, but never paid the Rubro-Negro.

Léo Pereira – Flamengo The center-back stayed at Flamengo despite numerous criticisms. Léo Pereira says he even received offers from abroad to leave the Rubro-Negro, but decided to stay and turn things around.

Everton Ribeiro – Bahia A Rubro-Negro idol, Everton Ribeiro stayed at Flamengo until the end of 2023, when his contract ended. Thus, Bahia signed him to be the new number 10 in the City Group project.

Gabigol – Cruzeiro After a series of controversies, the 'Rubro-Negro Prince' did not have his contract renewed with Flamengo at the end of 2024. So, Gabigol signed with Cruzeiro, but there are rumors he will not stay for the next season.

What time is this year's Libertadores final?

With the remaining players available, Flamengo faces Palmeiras this Saturday (29). The teams will face off starting at 6:00 pm (Brasília time), at Estadio Monumental U, in Lima.

The match will be broadcast live by Rede Globo (free-to-air TV), SporTV (pay TV), ESPN (cable channel), and Disney+ (streaming). Meanwhile, Coluna do Fla TV, on YouTube, will cover everything directly from Peru so that Flamengo fans don't miss any details of the big final.

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