From applause to boos: Fluminense face Arias in Libertadores semi | OneFootball

Jhon Arias was one of Fluminense’s standout players in their historic Libertadores triumph in 2023. The Colombian also played an important role in the Carioca titles in 2022 and 2023, as well as in the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana. When he left Laranjeiras, he did so with idol status and a special bond with the Tricolor fans. That story, however, changed after his return to Brazil. In his farewell to Fluminense in 2025, when he was on his way to Watford in England, Arias said he would only return to Brazilian football to play for Tricolor. And that is not what happened. At the start of this year, the midfielder signed with Palmeiras. Since then, he has become the target of taunts and criticism from Fluminense’s fans. Now, Arias will have his most important reunion since leaving the club. Fluminense and Palmeiras will face off in the Libertadores semifinal, putting the Colombian face-to-face with the team with which he won the biggest titles of his career. The two clubs have already faced each other twice in the 2026 Brazilian Championship. At Arena Barueri in São Paulo, Palmeiras won 2-1. In the second meeting, at the Maracanã, Fluminense came out on top and won 3-2 after coming from behind.

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