Abel Ferreira eyes new Libertadores and laments Flamengo again: “So close” | OneFootball

Abel Ferreira keeps ‘crying’ over Flamengo’s Libertadores title

Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira keeps setting records for ‘crying’ in Brazilian football. That’s because, this Friday (17), the coach was honored and said he dreams of winning another Libertadores. In addition, the Portuguese manager once again took a swipe at Flamengo over the rubro-negro club’s 2025 title.

— Look, I dream of winning the Libertadores again. That is my dream right now. Last year we came so close, and we know why we came so close, and this year we will try once again, because I can’t make promises. But that is my biggest dream, to keep winning titles -, he said, before finishing:

— In my book it is written what winning titles means to me, and I want it, I like feeling that pleasure, that taste, which is very fleeting and starts all over again, but it is something extremely pleasurable and that is why we work, that is what drives us, the pursuit of titles -, Abel Ferreira concluded.

What moment in the Libertadores final is behind Abel Ferreira’s ‘crying’?

The incident Abel Ferreira complains about happened in the opening minutes of the first half. On that occasion, Erick Pulgar made a heavy challenge on Bruno Fuchs, a Palmeiras center back, but the referee waved play on and gave only a yellow card to Flamengo’s Chilean midfielder.

Even so, with the ball rolling, Flamengo were superior to Palmeiras. However, the Rubro-Negro only found the net in the 23rd minute of the second half, after Arrascaeta delivered a cross onto Danilo’s head, and he headed it into the back of the São Paulo side’s net.

What is the article author’s opinion about Abel Ferreira’s ‘crying’?

“Palmeiras failed to make Rossi work at any point during the 90 minutes of the final against Flamengo. Even so, Abel Ferreira keeps insisting on blaming the refereeing for the Libertadores runner-up finish, even though the São Paulo side was nowhere near putting in a good performance,” it began.

“It is almost comical to see Abel Ferreira complain so many times about refereeing, considering Palmeiras are one of the teams involved in the most controversies in recent years, including in the 2025 Brasileirão, which was also won by Flamengo,” concluded Davi Esteves, a journalist for Coluna do Fla.

What happened between Flamengo and Palmeiras in 2025?

Abel Ferreira must still have ‘nightmares’ about Flamengo to this day. That’s because throughout 2025, Palmeiras battled the Rubro-Negro for the Libertadores and Brasileirão titles. However, by the end of the season, Mengão ended up with both trophies, while their rivals finished as runners-up in both competitions.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

Meanwhile, Flamengo remain focused on their next commitment of the season. This Wednesday (22), Leonardo Jardim’s team faces Chapecoense at Arena Condá, in Santa Catarina, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), for the 19th round of the Brasileirão.

As usual, Coluna do Fla brings you all the details about Flamengo in the 2026 season. So stay tuned to the website, social media, and YouTube. However, Globo (closed channel) and Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the match.

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