Matheus Reis and Agner shine in Fluminense’s first test of 2026 | OneFootball

If Fluminense took the field with the intention of paying more attention to the Xerém Boys at the start of 2026, Matheus Reis and Agner left the match against Madureira with elevated morale. Despite having little time in the game, the young players were directly involved in the play that ended with John Kennedy's beautiful goal, decisive in the Tricolor's 2-1 victory last Wednesday in the Campeonato Carioca. The other goal was scored by Lezcano.

Matheus Reis

At 18 years old, Matheus was called back to the main squad for the first time after a tough period: at the end of 2024, he suffered a severe knee injury and spent the entire following year in recovery after knee surgery. Upon his return, he showed character by continuing the play that ended in a goal: Guilherme Arana started the move on the left side of the attack, disrupted the defense, and passed to Matheus, who continued the sequence until the ball reached Agner, responsible for the final pass to John Kennedy.

Named in 2024 as one of the most promising players in the world by the English newspaper The Guardian, Matheus highlighted the decision-making in the play and also the learning he gained during rehabilitation.

— In the goal play, I only thought about getting the ball and going inside the opponent. In every play, I always try to look for my teammates. There, I had the opportunity to pass to Agner, and he passed to John Kennedy – and he continued:

— I'm sure I changed a lot; this injury taught me many things, it was a difficult period. I focused on coming back with a different mindset. I knew I was in the professional squad, that I would have to change my style of play a lot and be more focused. Thank God I managed to come back well and be in good shape to help the team today — Matheus completed in the interview after the game.

Agner

On the other side of the goal construction, Agner also took advantage of the chance in Fluminense's first commitment in 2026. Unlike Matheus, he didn't have to deal with an injury, but he went through a path of maturation elsewhere: he was loaned to Palmeiras between 2024 and 2025 and now, at the start of the season, he begins to receive the first opportunities to seek a place in Luis Zubeldía's squad.

In the under-20s, in 2025, already back in Rio de Janeiro, Agner played 12 matches and scored two goals. Against Madureira, however, the script was special: he made his debut in Fluminense's professional team and even provided an assist for the goal that secured the Tricolor's victory.

— Very happy. This assist was very important for me. In the play, John already asked from behind. I was going to shoot, but he asked, and he was successful with the goal. Very happy to debut with an assist and especially with the victory.

— I think I have to keep doing my job. The club understood it was time to experience new things and return. Now that I'm back, I think I have to defend this jersey and take advantage of the opportunities. Very happy to be back; debuting in the professional team is a moment I've always waited for — he commented in an interview after his teammate in the mixed zone of the stadium.

The young talents entered at the 27th minute of the final stage, replacing Lezcano and Santi Moreno. Although they are side by side at this start in the professional team, they are from different generations: Matheus was born in 2007, and Agner in 2005.

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