Felipe Vizeu targets revival at Sporting Cristal and eyes reunion with Vini Jr. and Paquetá ahead of Palmeiras test | OneFootball

Felipe Vizeu is pursuing a fresh start at Sporting Cristal, who host Palmeiras in Lima on Tuesday in the Copa Libertadores. The club lost 2-1 in São Paulo in the first meeting and now chase a result to protect top spot in Group F and keep their last 16 hopes alive.

According to Globo.com, the former Flamengo striker rose through the Copinha, winning the 2016 title over Corinthians and finishing as the tournament’s best player. He later stepped in for the suspended Paolo Guerrero, then moved across Brazil and abroad before joining Cristal under Paulo Autuori, who left days before their Libertadores debut, with Zé Ricardo taking over.

Vizeu urged total respect for Palmeiras and said Cristal must play with intelligence and humility, recognising the quality of opponents. He noted that teams sometimes beat them with a single chance and asked why his side could not do the same.

Born in Três Rios, he started at América-MG, was robbed in Belo Horizonte and spent two years without seeing his family. His Copinha triumph proved bittersweet, as he learned of his grandfather’s death soon after the final.

Between 2016 and 2018 he delivered for Flamengo, from a debut Brasileirão goal to key continental nights. After replacing Guerrero he scored against Corinthians and, amid a corner mix-up, aimed a middle finger at team-mate Rodolpho, something he now views with embarrassment. The row ended in the dressing room, and he hugged Rodolpho after scoring against Junior Barranquilla in the Sudamericana semi first leg, finishing that tie with three of Flamengo’s four goals.

He says his main wish is to return to Flamengo, ideally alongside friends Lucas Paquetá and Vinicius Júnior, rekindling their understanding. Back then he and Paquetá often listened to MC Cabelinho, especially Toda Hora.

Vizeu also featured for Grêmio, Ceará, Atlético Goianiense, Criciúma and Remo, working under Renato Gaúcho and scoring a goal in 2023 that contributed to Criciúma’s promotion. In this Libertadores he has one goal, the winner against Cerro Porteño on Cristal’s opening night, before this week’s rematch with Palmeiras in Lima.

Source: Globo.com