Flamengo icon Diego Ribas welcomes Thiago Almada | OneFootball

Former player and multi-title winner with Flamengo said Thiago Almada is an excellent player

For seven years, Flamengo had a squad led by Diego Ribas, who approved the signing of Thiago Almada from Atlético de Madrid (Spain). However, on Monday (04), the Rubro-Negro idol reminded everyone that Flamengo’s playmaking is already in good hands with Arrascaeta.

— As far as the number 10 shirt is concerned, we are very well served with Arrasca, who is a star. As for Almada, good players are always welcome in a squad like Flamengo’s. He is an excellent player — said Diego Ribas to Jornal dos Sports during the Neymar Jr. Institute Charity Auction, held in São Paulo.

What does Diego Ribas know about Flamengo’s number 10 shirt?

The former player is considered one of the pioneers of the new Rubro-Negro generation that won titles. That is because the speaker arrived in 2016 and stayed at Flamengo until 2022, even after two salary cuts and constant pressure from the fans.

Thus, Diego Ribas stood out as a leader who honored the Sacred Jersey in both the bad and good times at Mengão. In addition to his leadership and humility, the idol won two Libertadores titles, two Brazilian league titles, and one Copa do Brasil.

Will Flamengo really sign Thiago Almada?

Despite Diego Ribas’ warm welcome, Flamengo’s board is finding it difficult to negotiate with Thiago Almada. That is because, besides competition from River Plate (Argentina), the Argentine is still waiting to receive another European offer.

How much does Flamengo intend to pay for Thiago Almada?

Flamengo’s negotiation with Atlético de Madrid exceeds the 20 million euro mark (R$ 119 million). Football director José Boto, who traveled to Buenos Aires in recent days, hopes to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

What is Arrascaeta’s situation at Flamengo?

After becoming the King of America in 2025, Arrascaeta has had a difficult 2026 so far. That is because the number 10 suffered a drop in performance at the start of the season, picked up two injuries in a row, and was eliminated in the World Cup group stage with Uruguay.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

Without Thiago Almada, Flamengo’s next game of the 2026 season will only take place next Sunday (09), when Mengo hosts Vitória in the Brazilian league. Therefore, the ball starts rolling at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã.

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