Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira was left in tears after a phone call from former Flamengo team-mate David Luiz.
Brazil internationals Luiz and Pereira were both part of the Flamengo team which suffered a painful defeat against Palmeiras in the 2021 Copa Libertadores final. That result was particularly heartbreaking for former Manchester United man Pereira, whose costly mistake let in Deyverson for an extra-time winner.
While the midfielder has since moved to Fulham, Luiz stayed with the Rubro-Negro to help them reach the continental final once more. This time they got the job done, and emotions got the better of Pereira when he got a call from his former colleague.
Luiz, who joined Flamengo from Arsenal, shared a screenshot of his video call with a tearful Pereira on Instagram. "You are a champion brother, we love you,” his caption read.
Pereira, 26, had spent the last two seasons out on loan from Manchester United after losing his spot to Bruno Fernandes. He was at Lazio for the 2020-21 campaign and Flamego for 2021-22, and had pledged to come back stronger after his error against Palmeiras.
“You can count on me, I’ll stay here until we win the next one,” Pereira told fan group Raça Rubro Negra after the final defeat, as translated by Sport Witness. It wouldn't prove to be the case, though, with Flamengo unable to wrap up a permanent deal and seeing the midfielder join newly-promoted Fulham.
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Earlier in the competition, it looked as though we might get a rematch of the 2021 final as both Brazilian sides reached the semis. However, while Flamengo bested Velez Sarsfield, Palmeiras lost out after a comeback from Atletico Paranaense halted their charge one step shy of the final.
The final therefore offered up an opportunity for former Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho to win his first trophy since moving to Parana. Instead, though, it was Flamengo who came out on top to make up for last season's disappointment.
Former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis and ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich star Arturo Vidal were also part of the victorious squad. David Luiz, meanwhile, joined a select group of players to have won Europe and South America's biggest club competitions.
Gabigol, who netted in 2021, scored the only goal of the game to settle a tight final in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Flamengo didn't lose a single game in the entire tournament, earning 16 points from a possible 18 in the group stages and winning the home and away legs of all three of their knockout fixtures before the final.
After the game, Pereira himself shared a message of support on social media. "Very proud to be part of this team," he wrote. "Until my last minute I gave life for these colors!"
