Flamengo and Palmeiras face each other this Saturday at the renovated Estadio Centenario in Montevideo for the grand final of the 2021 Copa Libertadores, edition that brings together the last winners of the South American club's premier tournament.
When both Brazilian teams appeared on the field, Gabriel Barbosa 'Gabigol', great figure of Flamengo and top scorer in the current tournament, once again challenged beliefs in football.
'Gabigol' was the last player from 'Mengao' to parade onto the field, where the players walked alongside the continental trophy. It was there that Barbosa was the only athlete brave enough to touch the Copa Libertadores.
The Brazilian usually challenges superstitions, as in the 2019 final between Flamengo and River Plate, at the Monumental in Lima, 'Gabigol' did the same. What happened? 'Mengao' started losing, but with a double by their center forward, they came back in the final stretch to conquer the tournament. Will history repeat itself?
Flamengo vs. Palmeiras: How they started in the Copa Libertadores
Palmeiras: Weverton; Gustavo Gómez, Luan, Joaquín Piquerez; Mayke, Gustavo Scarpa, Danilo, Zé Rafael; Raphael Veiga, Dudu, Rony.
Flamengo: Diego Alves; Mauricio Isla, David Luiz, Rodrigo Caio, Filipe Luís; Willian Arao, Andreas Pereira, Everton Ribeiro, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique; Gabriel Barbosa