Flamengo director on Gonçalves' exit: "He'll be happy there" | OneFootball

Flamengo negotiated Matheus Gonçalves with Al Ahli (SAU)

Last week, Flamengo finalized the sale of Matheus Gonçalves to Al Ahli, from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi club paid around 8 million euros (R$ 51 million at the current exchange rate) to Mengão for the player. Alfredo Almeira, the director of the youth categories of Rubro-Negro, explained what motivated the midfielder's departure.

— Matheus Gonçalves himself was not comfortable, in his opinion, due to the lack of opportunities in the professional team. He had opportunities. Many times the question I ask when they question why Matheus doesn't play more? The squad is so full, so good, so qualified. This Lorran and this Matheus, in other Flamengos, were other opportunities that could have existed, another way to play -, he said, before concluding:

— It doesn't mean they don't have talent. Matheus Gonçalves has talent. Maybe it will be good for all parties: financially for Flamengo, for Matheus Gonçalves and for those who manage him who have an opportunity to increase his value. Business-wise it was good for everyone, especially for Matheus. I think he will be happy where he is -, concluded Alfredo Almeira, in an interview with the podcast ‘Barbacast‘.

What was Matheus Gonçalves' situation at Flamengo?

Matheus Gonçalves had a contract with Flamengo until December 2027. However, the midfielder was not receiving many opportunities this season. Under the command of coach Filipe Luís, the 19-year-old participated in only 15 matches, in which he scored two goals. Thus, the player accepted to leave Mengão.

Were there more departures in the under-20 team?

Besides Matheus Gonçalves, Flamengo also said goodbye to two other main players of the under-20 team. Midfielder Lorran was loaned to Pisa (ITA) for one season. The agreement, in fact, includes a mandatory purchase clause of 4 million euros (R$ 25 million) for 50% of the player. Additionally, forward Shola was sold to Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) for R$ 2.1 million.

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