Dorival Junior downplays Brazil speculation after Flamengo's Copa Libertadores triumph

By Sports Desk October 29, 2022

Flamengo head coach Dorival Junior brushed off speculation linking him with replacing Tite as Brazil's boss following his side's Copa Libertadores triumph over Athletico Paranaense.

The Rubro-Negro clinched their third Copa Libertadores crown with Saturday's 1-0 victory over Athletico after Gabriel Barbosa's strike in the 45th minute.

The title comes less than a fortnight after Junior, who took over at Flamengo in June, guided the club to the Copa do Brasil crown

Junior has been linked with the Brazil head coaching role with Tite to vacate the position following the upcoming World Cup, with his latest piece of silverware boosting his case.

"It is very difficult to talk about hypotheses in my position," Junior told reporters after Saturday's triumph.

"My contract with Flamengo runs until the end of the year. My biggest prize would be to continue and continue the work.

"If there is a possibility [to be Brazil coach], it would be after the World Cup. You postulate a condition like that, but it's all still very distant and very vague.

"We have great professionals in the country, many respected, who also deserve an opportunity as the head of the national team. Tite is one of the great professionals in world football, at a very high level."

Instead the 60-year-old preferred to soak in the Copa Libertadores glory, praising goal scorer Gabriel Barbosa and tournament top scorer Pedro for their partnership.

Barbosa, who is known as 'Gabigol', was the 2019 Copa Libertadores top scorer when Flamengo also lifted the title, while he won the tournament's Best Player award last season when they lost the final to Palmeiras.

"It's a partnership that completes each other," Junior said. "It was no different than what I imagined in my head. I had no doubt that they could play together, with a closer relationship between them.

"Gabriel did not completely change his role. There was an alternation of movement and attacks in the last line. They know how to do this like no one else, a very great harmony.

"That small change made a difference… Perhaps Gabriel's contribution was even greater than what he had in 2019."

Flamengo's Copa campaign included 13 games, with 12 wins, one draw and 33 goals scored. Dorival Junior's side only conceded two goals in the knockout stages.

Related items

  • Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde signs one-year contract extension Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde signs one-year contract extension

    Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde has signed a one-year contract extension that ties her to the Women’s Super League champions until the end of next season.

    The Norway international joined the club from Avaldsnes in her home country in 2016 and has helped Emma Hayes’ side to five WSL titles in that time.

    She scored a memorable last-ditch penalty with the final kick of extra-time to rescue Chelsea from elimination in their Champions League quarter-final against Lyon in April.

    The 33-year-old told the club website: “I feel really happy, Chelsea is my club and it has been for six-and-a-half years.

    “I’m happy to stay here, it’s been my home for a long time and I’m really excited for next season.”

    Chelsea Women general manager Paul Green added: “We’re delighted that Maren has committed to the club for another season.

    “She is one of our leaders both on and off the pitch. Her experience and quality within the group is really important.

    “She’s been a big part of our success over the years and we’re looking forward to seeing her again next season.”

    Chelsea wrapped up their fourth-consecutive Super League title with a 3-0 victory against Reading in May, completing the double, having already lifted the FA Cup by beating Manchester United at Wembley.

  • Karim Benzema calls time on glittering 14-year Real Madrid career Karim Benzema calls time on glittering 14-year Real Madrid career

    Real Madrid’s most decorated player Karim Benzema is to leave the club after 14 years.

    France striker Benzema, 35, won 25 trophies during his time in Madrid and scored 353 goals in 647 appearances to become Real’s second all-time top scorer after Cristiano Ronaldo.

    “Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club,” read a club statement from the Spanish giants.

    “Real Madrid would like to show its gratitude and affection to a player who is already one of our greatest legends.

    “Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been a shining example of conduct and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.

    “Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great icons of our club and one of the great legends of world football.

    “Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and we wish him and all his family the best in this new stage of his life.”

    Benzema, the current Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year, joined Real from Lyon in July 2009 for a reported transfer fee of 35 million euros.

    He is fifth on the list of players with the most Real appearances and his trophy haul in Spain includes five Champions Leagues, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four LaLiga titles, three Copas del Rey and four Spanish Super Cups.

    Benzema has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

    Real have confirmed they will hold “an institutional act of tribute and farewell” to Benzema in the Spanish capital on Tuesday in the presence of club president Florentino Perez.

  • You can tell everybody we have won the FA Cup – Man City players meet Elton John You can tell everybody we have won the FA Cup – Man City players meet Elton John

    Manchester City were greeted by singer Elton John as they touched down at Manchester Airport on their return from winning the FA Cup at Wembley.

    The club posted videos of the squad posing for pictures with the 76-year-old on the tarmac as they disembarked from their plane late on Saturday.

    Pep Guardiola said in advance of the final, which City won 2-1 against Manchester United to secure the second leg of a possible treble, that he had attended John’s concert in the city last week as he sought to take his mind off a defining period in the club’s history.

    The club’s Twitter feed headed one of the videos “you can tell everybody we have won the FA Cup”, a reference to a line from the 1971 hit Your Song.

    City were victorious at Wembley thanks to a goal in either half from Ilkay Gundogan – his first the fastest in FA Cup final history – as they added the trophy to the Premier League title they won in May.

    They face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on Saturday seeking to become only the second English club after Manchester United to have won all three major trophies in a single season.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.