Arrascaeta flying in 2025, leads Flamengo to titles in his best ever season | OneFootball

The standout year for Flamengo, champions of the Copa Libertadores on Sunday and the Campeonato Brasileiro this Wednesday, is largely due to the excellent season of Uruguayan player Giorgian De Arrascaeta.

Tasked with wearing the number 10 shirt after Gabigol’s departure, the 31-year-old midfielder stepped into the spotlight without hesitation and had the best season of his career in terms of numbers. He was the main player for the Rio de Janeiro team this season, which was crowned with four titles – Libertadores, Brasileirão, Supercopa do Brasil, and Campeonato Carioca.

Since 2015 in Brazilian football, when he was bought by Cruzeiro from Defensor-URU, Arrascaeta has never had a season like 2025, the best of his career in terms of statistics.

This current season was the one in which the Uruguayan played the most (61 matches) and scored the most goals (23) since arriving in Brazilian football, making him Flamengo’s top scorer of the year. In addition, with at least two more games to be played in 2025, the number 10 is aiming for his best season as an assist provider. He has 18 assists and could surpass the years 2019 and 2022, when he contributed 19 assists each.

Standout in the Brasileirão

Speaking only of the Campeonato Brasileiro, Arrascaeta is a strong candidate to be named the best player of the competition. In 33 matches, the Uruguayan scored 18 times and provided 14 assists, totaling 32 goal involvements. In other words, practically an average of one goal involvement per match.

Moreover, in matches considered decisive in the competition, it was Arrascaeta who secured Flamengo’s victory. In both matches against Palmeiras, for example, the Uruguayan tallied two goals and one assist, having opened the scoring in both encounters.

Overcoming injury

The excellent 2025 of Arrascaeta was the result of a decision made by the attacking midfielder last year, specifically after winning the Copa do Brasil. In the previous season, the Uruguayan played much of the time injured, making sacrifices, and therefore was unable to reach his best level.

After the final against Atlético-MG, Arrascaeta announced he would undergo an arthroscopy and miss the rest of the matches, aiming to start the current season in his best shape. With 2025 coming to an end, it can be said that the decision proved more than correct. The midfielder even thanked everyone for their care during his recovery.

“[What helped] mainly was having a coach who knows me very well, who has been with us for a year now. The physiotherapist, as I always say, is always with me when I need it, even outside the club. Congratulations to him, the medical department, everyone, and the national team that also took great care of me,” he highlighted in an interview with SporTV.

(Photo: Adriano Fontes / Flamengo)

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