A dig at Filipe Luís? Zico on Pedro's current form at Flamengo | OneFootball

OneFootball's home page

A dig at Filipe Luís? Zico on Pedro's current form at Flamengo | OneFootball

In partnership with

Yahoo sports
Icon: Coluna do Fla

Coluna do Fla

·15 April 2026

A dig at Filipe Luís? Zico on Pedro's current form at Flamengo

Article image:A dig at Filipe Luís? Zico on Pedro's current form at Flamengo

Zico was full of praise for Pedro this Tuesday (14)

Pedro was back in the spotlight after a brilliant performance in Flamengo’s 2-1 win over Fluminense on Sunday (12). That’s because the No. 9 scored both of Mengão’s goals in the derby. The greatest idol in Fla’s history, Zico heaped praise on the striker and spoke frankly about the player’s best role.

He is by far the best center forward we have in Brazil. He had been lacking a run of games, and now that he has that continuity again, he’s back to doing what he does best, which is scoring goals. He’s the kind of player who, if you take away that characteristic of his and make him wear himself out tracking back and defending, he’ll lose energy when it comes time to do what he’s there in the box to do. The others have to do that. In football, each player has a position and a role they can perform better for the team. You can’t take away what a guy does best, which is being close to goal, and make him do something else. Then you’re going to lose him. Some players can do three different roles. If you take Leandro in my time, I think he could even have played as a goalkeeper, because he was a master of the ball. He did everything with his right foot, his left foot, everything he did. So he could play anywhere on the pitch. But there are many who can’t do that, they only play in that area. So if in that area where he (Pedro) plays, he’s the best, why would I move him? I wouldn’t. I was a coach for 10 years, so I always tried to get my team to do what each player did best. Because in the end, the result belongs to the whole team. So if he can’t do it, don’t tire him out—have someone else do that role. But if he’s getting me results, leave him there,” Zico said during the screening of the film about the eternal No. 10.

What was Pedro’s situation like under Filipe Luís?

Under coach Filipe Luís, Pedro was unable to cement himself as a starter at Flamengo. That’s because the coach prefers a more mobile No. 9, one who helps with defending and drops deep to receive the ball. It is no coincidence that the manager preferred to line up Bruno Henrique and Gonzalo Plata in that position.

OneFootball Videos

So, since Leonardo Jardim took charge of Flamengo, Pedro has returned to the starting lineup for Mengão. Since then, in nine matches under the Portuguese coach, the No. 9 has scored five goals and provided one assist.

What are Pedro’s numbers for Flamengo in 2026?

In addition, Pedro has pulled even further ahead as Flamengo’s top scorer in the 2026 season. So far, the No. 9 has played 20 matches, scored 11 goals, and recorded three assists. As a result, the striker continues to regain his place under Leonardo Jardim.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

With Pedro available, Flamengo remain focused on the Libertadores. This Thursday (16), Leonardo Jardim’s team will face Independiente Medellín (COL) at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time at the Maracanã in the second round of the tournament.

So, as tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details of the match between Flamengo and Independiente Medellín through YouTube, the website, and social media. However, ESPN and Disney+ will broadcast the Libertadores match.

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

View publisher imprint

MORE STORIES

See More Stories
Watch on OneFootball