By Juju & Suzi 
Emotional Return to Maracanã
The upcoming match between Flamengo and Santos on Sunday (05) will mark a significant reunion for Gabriel Barbosa, widely known as Gabigol, with his former club. As an idol and a key figure in Flamengo’s victories in the CONMEBOL Libertadores in 2019 and 2022, alongside 11 other titles, the striker is set to return to a stadium where he made history, but this time as an opponent.
“It’s always very difficult, as it was at Cruzeiro too. To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable playing against Flamengo. Even more so at the Maracanã. Everyone knows my love for Flamengo, for the fans, for Rio de Janeiro. It’s very complicated for me,” Gabigol stated in an interview with the portal ge.
Professionalism Amidst Personal Feelings
Despite the emotional ties, Gabigol highlighted his professional dedication to Santos. “When the game starts, you want to win, give your best, and score goals. But, really, it’s always very difficult for me to face Flamengo. Because of everything I went through there and everything was very sincere. But, when the ball rolls, I want to win, and I’m sure they do too.”
The striker acknowledged the possibility of facing jeers from the Flamengo faithful. “If the Flamengo fans boo me, I know it’s part of the game. But when it ends, things go back to normal, without that pressure and game stuff, it all ends. I can’t be a liar. I love Flamengo, the Flamengo fans, I love Santos, it’s my team at heart. These are things that happen in football, and life goes on.”
A Storied Past at Flamengo
Gabigol departed Flamengo at the end of 2024, reportedly at odds with the then-president Rodolfo Landim. During his tenure at the Gávea, the forward amassed an impressive record of 161 goals and secured 13 titles, cementing his legacy as one of the club’s greatest players.
Fonte: www.espn.com.br