Dig at Filipe Luís? Zico's message on Pedro's Flamengo form | OneFootball

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Dig at Filipe Luís? Zico's message on Pedro's Flamengo form | OneFootball

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·15 April 2026

Dig at Filipe Luís? Zico's message on Pedro's Flamengo form

Article image:Dig at Filipe Luís? Zico's message on Pedro's Flamengo form

Zico heaped praise on Pedro this Tuesday (14)

Pedro returned to the spotlight after a standout performance in Flamengo’s 2-1 win over Fluminense on Sunday (12). That’s because the number 9 scored both of Mengão’s goals in the derby. The greatest idol in Fla’s history, Zico heaped praise on the center forward and spoke frankly about the player’s best role.

He is the best center forward we have in Brazil, by far. He had been lacking a run of games, and now he has that continuity again and is back to doing what he does best, which is scoring goals. He’s a guy who, if you take away that characteristic of his and make him wear himself out marking, he’ll lose strength when it comes time to do what he does in the box. The others have to do that. In football, each player has a position and has to do a part that may be better for the team. You can’t take away what a guy does best, which is being close to goal, and make him do another job. Then you’re going to lose him. Some players can do three roles. If you take Leandro in my day, 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, with his left, everything he did. So he could play anywhere on the field. But there are many who can’t do that, they only play in that space there. So, if in that space where he (Pedro) plays, he is the best, why would I take him out of it? I won’t. I spent 10 years as a coach, so I always tried to get my team to do what the players 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 giving me results, leave him there,” Zico said during the screening of the film about the eternal number 10.

What was Pedro’s situation like under Filipe Luís?

Under coach Filipe Luís, Pedro was unable to establish himself as a starter at Flamengo. That’s because the coach prefers a more mobile number 9, one who helps with marking and drops back to get the ball. It’s no surprise, then, that the manager preferred to start Bruno Henrique and Gonzalo Plata in the position.

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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 number 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 number 9 has played 20 matches, with 11 goals and three assists. The striker is therefore continuing to regain his place under Leonardo Jardim.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

With Pedro available, Flamengo remains 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.

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