Hero of fourth title says he considered retiring after Libertadores win | OneFootball

Flamengo won the 2025 Libertadores with Danilo’s goal against Palmeiras

The hero of the fourth title is dreaming of a fifth Libertadores. That is because, this Tuesday (07), Danilo told Flamengo TV that he could have ended his career right after the 2025 final. However, the center-back wants to do it again this year.

— That day, I could have retired. I could have retired because it was the perfect setting, except for the fact that I still hadn’t managed to win the World Cup with the Brazilian National Team, right? — said the star of the title, who added:

— But it’s the perfect setting, because I leave América-MG, build something wonderful at Santos, then make my path in Europe and all that, and come back to my boyhood club, my childhood team, where I discovered football and everything. I score the winning goal in the Libertadores final, we become champions. I would have ended it there peacefully, without feeling like anything was missing — the defender said.

How did Danilo become Flamengo’s hero?

The final between Flamengo and Palmeiras, in Lima, was a tight match with few big chances for either side. Then the Most Beloved won a corner taken by Arrascaeta, which was met by the No. 13 with a towering header.

Why didn’t Danilo retire?

The veteran’s statement came in a special interview with Flamengo TV ahead of Flamengo’s debut in the 2026 Libertadores. “If last year I already flew, this year I want to take off,” the player said at the end of the conversation.

When is Flamengo’s debut in the 2026 Libertadores?

Flamengo face Cusco (PER) this Wednesday (08), in Peru, in their opening match of the Libertadores. Kickoff is at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, with live coverage on Rede Globo on free-to-air TV, GETV on YouTube, and Paramount+ via streaming.

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