Where are Flamengo’s last Libertadores champions now? | OneFootball

Flamengo defeated Athletico-PR in the 2022 Libertadores final and could beat Palmeiras this year

The 2022 Libertadores was dominated from start to finish by Flamengo. However, only a few players from that team, coached by Dorival Júnior, will be present in the tournament final in 2025. The Rubro-Negro faces Palmeiras this Saturday (29).

Three years ago, Flamengo was lined up for the final against Athletico-PR with: Santos, Rodinei, David Luiz, Léo Pereira and Filipe Luís (Ayrton Lucas); Thiago Maia (Vidal), João Gomes, Arrascaeta (Victor Hugo) and Everton Ribeiro; Gabigol (Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro.

Where are the players from the 2022 Libertadores final now?

Santos – Athletico-PR After leaving Flamengo for Fortaleza, the goalkeeper is currently at Athletico-PR, the club that developed him. Thus, the defender played in Serie B in 2025.

Diego Alves – Retired After leaving Flamengo, the number 1 even returned to Spanish football at Celta de Vigo. However, Diego Alves retired shortly after, without regaining much sporting prominence.

Hugo Souza – Corinthians He left Flamengo on loan to Chaves, in Portugal, in 2023. Afterwards, the goalkeeper was permanently transferred to Corinthians, where he earned the fans’ trust and made it to the Brazilian National Team.

Rodinei – Olympiacos (GRE) After his success in 2022, Rodinei decided to move to European football. Since then, he has played for Olympiacos (Greece) and, last Wednesday (27), played against Real Madrid (Spain) in the Champions League.

Matheuzinho – Corinthians The right-back stayed at Flamengo until early 2024. Afterwards, Matheuzinho chose to join Corinthians, just like Hugo Souza, the club he currently plays for.

Filipe Luís – Retired (Football coach) A Rubro-Negro idol, Filipe Luís hung up his boots at the end of 2023. Soon after, he took charge of Flamengo’s U-17 team and moved up the ranks. He is currently the head coach of the main team and is aiming to win his first Libertadores in his new role.

Ayrton Lucas – Flamengo The left-back, who was a substitute but played an important role in the final against Athletico, remains in the Flamengo squad to this day. Ayrton Lucas is the immediate backup for Alex Sandro.

David Luiz – Pafos (CYP) The center-back left Flamengo at the end of 2024 for Fortaleza. However, his stint with the northeastern team was short, and he soon transferred to Pafos, in Cyprus. Like Rodinei, David Luiz is playing in the Champions League.

Fabrício Bruno – Cruzeiro The defender stayed at Flamengo until the end of 2024. However, Fabrício Bruno requested a transfer, as he would not be a starter under Filipe Luís. Therefore, the defender returned to Cruzeiro, the club that developed him.

Pablo – Flamengo Although he remained at Flamengo, Pablo never had a run of games like in 2022. Besides injuries, the Rubro-Negro loaned him to Botafogo. Upon returning, the defender was sidelined and not registered for this year’s Libertadores.

Erick Pulgar – Flamengo Newly arrived at the club, Pulgar was a substitute at the end of 2022. However, the midfielder has become fundamental to the team year after year. Thus, the Chilean has a chance to start in this year’s final.

Arturo Vidal – Colo-Colo (CHI) The midfielder also did not accept a place on the bench and asked to be transferred. Thus, Vidal played for runners-up Athletico and returned to Colo-Colo, the club that launched him into European football.

Diego Ribas – Retired The then number 10 of Flamengo retired from football at the end of that season. Diego, however, is always fondly remembered for what he did wearing the Sacred Mantle.

Matheus França – Vasco Flamengo sold the promising Matheus França to Crystal Palace (ENG). However, the attacking midfielder was unable to establish himself in European football and ended up loaned to Vasco, where he has yet to secure a starting spot.

Everton Cebolinha – Flamengo Since 2022, Cebolinha has struggled with injuries. However, in this final stretch of 2025, the left winger seems to have regained his form, leading part of the fans to call for him to start against Palmeiras in place of Samuel Lino.

Marinho – Fortaleza The forward stayed at Flamengo until mid-2023. However, Marinho committed an act of indiscipline and the club decided to sideline him before selling him. Thus, Fortaleza signed him, where he still plays today.

João Gomes – Wolves (ENG) The midfielder became a fan favorite and caught the attention of Europe. So, Flamengo sold him to Wolves, where he still plays. However, there are rumors of interest from Manchester United (ENG) in João Gomes.

Arrascaeta – Flamengo A Rubro-Negro idol, Arrascaeta has not left Flamengo since arriving in 2019. Thus, if he fulfills his renewed contract, the Uruguayan will wear the Sacred Mantle at least until 2028.

Thiago Maia – Internacional The midfielder is involved in a negotiation that is causing Flamengo a headache. The club loaned Thiago Maia to Internacional in 2024. This year, however, the southern team decided to buy him, but never paid the Rubro-Negro.

Léo Pereira – Flamengo The defender stayed at Flamengo despite numerous criticisms. Léo Pereira says he even received offers from abroad to leave the Rubro-Negro, but decided to stay and turn things around.

Everton Ribeiro – Bahia A Rubro-Negro idol, Everton Ribeiro stayed at Flamengo until the end of 2023, when his contract expired. Thus, Bahia signed him to be the new number 10 in the City Group project.

Gabigol – Cruzeiro After a series of controversies, the ‘Rubro-Negro Prince’ did not have his contract renewed with Flamengo at the end of 2024. So, Gabigol signed with Cruzeiro, but there are rumors that he will not stay for the next season.

What time is this year’s Libertadores final?

With the remaining players available, Flamengo faces Palmeiras this Saturday (29). The teams face off starting at 6pm (Brasília time), at Estadio Monumental U, in Lima.

The match will be broadcast live on Rede Globo (free-to-air TV), SporTV (pay TV), ESPN (cable channel), and Disney+ (streaming). Meanwhile, Coluna do Fla TV, on YouTube, will cover everything directly from Peru so Flamengo fans don’t miss any details of the big final.

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